INDEPENDENCE Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

independence

noun

ˌin-də-ˈpen-dən(t)s

Definition of independence

as in autonomy

the ability to care for one's self children are supposed to achieve some measure of independence by the time they are 18—so it's time for that 30-year-old to move out!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sovereignty

the state of being free from the control or power of another college freshmen often revel in their newfound independence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of independence Recovery funding has also been tied to broader judicial-independence reforms. — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Aug. 2026 Generic industry multiples are insufficient; true valuation depends on risk factors like owner independence, revenue diversification, growth, and financial cleanliness. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 After the Philippines attained independence, in 1946, with the country’s economy constricted from more than three centuries of colonization, a diaspora spread around the world. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 The advantage of designing both the hardware and software is not simply independence from a supplier. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for independence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for independence

Noun

Bareilles is mourning a few things — the deaths of close friends, dreams of easy fertility, assumptions of female autonomy, the American dream — but the music soars, more often than not.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of autonomy

Noun

Ibrahim Traoré, who took power after a coup in 2022, Burkina Faso has presented food production as a sovereignty issue.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Lokotah works for Sunlight Media Collective, documenting stories at the intersection of Wabanaki sovereignty and environmental justice.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of sovereignty

Noun

In fact, the Book of Exodus is his jam here, focusing on Moses (Christian Bale), his close connection to Egyptian pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton) and Moses' effort to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to freedom.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
The International Press Institute, a nonprofit that aims to protect media freedom, recorded 26 incidents of attacks and threats in the five months to March.

— Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of freedom

Noun

Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.

— Barton Swaim, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2021
His seemingly daily attacks on freedom of speech, the independency of the judiciary, the right to vote and other pillars of our constitutional system are bolstered by an intensely loyal fan base.

— Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2020

Definition of independency

Noun

China’s chip self-sufficiency rate reached roughly 70% by production volume in June, compared with 38% in January 2010, according to Goldman.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Their goals are to improve the well being of children while promoting family unification, and to assist families to achieve economic and social self-sufficiency.

— News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of self-sufficiency

Noun

Their source was the collective enthusiasm of a population that had gone into revolution—a revolution forming committees of social self-reliance in every field.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The music superstar grew up steeped in the ethic of self-reliance.

— George F. Will, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of self-reliance

Browse Nearby Words

indentures

independence

independences

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Independence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independence. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of independence

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on independence

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes