1
as in autonomous
able to take care of oneself or itself without outside help
an independent young man who moved out of his parents' house while still a college student
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in separate
not being under the rule or control of another
finally they are an independent people, after centuries of domination by their more powerful neighbors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of independent
Overall, independent and British games did well in the nominations unveiled by the British Academy.
—
Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025
Shaw is an independent producer and entrepreneur who founded animation firm BWA Studios, which has produced content and marketing materials for HBO, Netflix, Hulu, Mattel and Sony Music, among others.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
Sargent, a director at Kroger since 2006, has served as the company's lead independent director since 2017.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Huemer started out in the independent film scene of 1980s New York, directing fourteen feature films before pivoting to engineering and industrial leadership.
—Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for independent
Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025
Shaw is an independent producer and entrepreneur who founded animation firm BWA Studios, which has produced content and marketing materials for HBO, Netflix, Hulu, Mattel and Sony Music, among others.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
Sargent, a director at Kroger since 2006, has served as the company's lead independent director since 2017.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Huemer started out in the independent film scene of 1980s New York, directing fourteen feature films before pivoting to engineering and industrial leadership.
—Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for independent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for independent
Adjective
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Musk’s plan for Tesla robotaxis is to use only cameras as a cost-saving measure, an approach most autonomous vehicle experts consider unwise.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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China-based e-Hang has already certified its two-person, autonomous air taxi with that country’s aviation authority.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, a separate pending lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of another part of the law that requires age verification to try to prevent minors from having access to online pornographic sites.—
Dara Kam,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
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In separate campaigns, the National Action Network, a civil rights organization, plans to release a report in April on some companies that have retreated from diversity programs.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The film’s effect on the perception of Brazil’s powerful military has been something of a virtuous circle: the political mood powers the popularity of the movie, and the movie in turn powers the political mood.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Feb. 2025
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Charlotte Moore’s decision to quit the BBC has opened up the most powerful creative job in British television — and within minutes speculation was rampant about who could succeed the outgoing content chief.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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While pragmatism in foreign affairs is necessary, reducing the survival of a sovereign nation to a game of leverage risks trivializing the stakes at hand.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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Unlike any other religious leader around the world, the leader of the world's one billion Catholics is also the leader of a sovereign nation.—
NPR,
NPR,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The goal is clear: reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and build a self-sufficient technology ecosystem.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Wilkinson studied agriculture in the 1970s when monoculture was encouraged after a post-World War II drive for the U.K. to import less food and become more self-sufficient.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The answer depends on several factors: • Hardware access: The U.S. leads in AI chip manufacturing, but China is investing in self-reliant alternatives.—
Vazgen Harutyunyan,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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That's a jackpot for Trump's growth agenda and Starmer's vision of a self-reliant Europe.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to its momentum and self-sustaining nature, drive has another advantage over motivation: It can be developed and strengthened over time.—
Ryan McGrath,
Forbes,
27 Mar. 2023
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Significantly, some states had self-sustaining populations of wild turkeys that could serve as seed stock.—
Paul A. Smith,
Journal Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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With one week before the start of NFL free agency, Rams coach Sean McVay is resting, if not resting easy, knowing Stafford will be leading his team for a fifth season.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2025
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All three local ski areas are located within the park, are accessible via a free shuttle, and are part of the SkiBig3 family: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Independent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independent. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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