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!

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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

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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 That independence can make dining alone feel like an intentional experience rather than simply a matter of convenience. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 Alberta’s independence movement has grown after years of organizing. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 But for diners who enjoy the independence, eating without company can be a choice worth making rather than something to avoid. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 Another challenge for James is convincing the public to trust her independence and judgment. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for independence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for independence

Noun

The problem, Snegovaya said, is that achieving military autonomy for Europe and Ukraine is extremely difficult in the short term, and Europe has been slow to develop the necessary capabilities.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
CoreMotion is intended to address this integration challenge by providing a common control layer between autonomy software and vehicle hardware.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of autonomy

Noun

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made a final appeal to voters considering a path toward independence in his home province of Alberta on Friday, warning that a referendum is a dangerous gamble at a time of growing threats to Canada’s sovereignty.

— Rob Gillies, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
The practical reason for this is to ensure that European customers have full sovereignty over software, algorithms, data, and hardware.

— David Szondy October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sovereignty

Noun

The row reached the competition jury’s press conference the day after the opening ceremony, where a reporter raised the question of historical fact and creative freedom.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The efforts by Huawei and other Chinese chipmakers to squeeze more performance out of less sophisticated hardware are impressive—but the results are still workarounds compared with the freedom Nvidia or AMD have.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 16 Oct. 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

This increasing self-reliance has an extra benefit in the midst of a grueling war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Its rural nature — isolated from the rest of the country and with many of its communities accessible only by air or water — breeds a self-reliance.

— Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of self-reliance

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indentures

independence

independences

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“Independence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independence. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of independence

noun

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