1
as in choice
the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions
the director agreed to make the film only on the condition that she be given complete autonomy for the casting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independence
the state of being free from the control or power of another
finding the mother country's treatment of them oppressive and intolerable, the 13 British colonies made the momentous decision to seek autonomy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autonomy
Users still have autonomy, but the list of choices is shorter and, importantly, more personally curated.
—
Uriel Maslansky, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
These women deserve the same resources, autonomy, and respect as their white male counterparts.
—Kedean Smith, Essence, 3 Apr. 2025
Mars will also oppose Pluto in your sign on April 26, so expect power struggles in your relationships or perhaps in situations that challenge your autonomy.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
In all these efforts, the health, autonomy and freedom of women and girls count for nothing.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Uriel Maslansky, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
These women deserve the same resources, autonomy, and respect as their white male counterparts.
—Kedean Smith, Essence, 3 Apr. 2025
Mars will also oppose Pluto in your sign on April 26, so expect power struggles in your relationships or perhaps in situations that challenge your autonomy.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
In all these efforts, the health, autonomy and freedom of women and girls count for nothing.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
-
Sides included fries, chili and chili cheese fries, and there were four choices of housemade sauces.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacramento Bee,
16 Mar. 2025
-
As a child, he was surrounded by professionals involved with the institute who were PhDs, lawyers and doctors, so his parents were skeptical about his choice to make music for a living, the singer recalled to CBS News in May 2022.—
Ilana Frost,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That independence gives them the freedom to move fast, speak honestly, and take creative risks that traditional retailers might avoid.—
Catherine Erdly,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage.—
David Betancourt,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea and has accused the Philippines—a U.S. treaty ally—of acting as a proxy in American efforts to contain its influence.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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They were met by thousands of U.S. protesters, and a symbolic call for sovereignty turned into a bloody clash, sparking yearslong discussions about how Panama could take over the canal.—
Whitney Eulich,
Christian Science Monitor,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In question was whether Bob Jones' discriminatory policy was protected by its right to religious freedom, because the school claimed the Bible prohibited race-mixing.—
Jonaki Mehta,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
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According to legend, when the Spanish invaded, some Muisca chose to leap from the waterfall rather than surrender, believing they would be transformed into condors, soaring to freedom.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This visit was very important signal for our partners that Kyiv, much more safety right now, and also very important signal that Great Britain stay together with Ukraine, support Ukraine -- support our country in the fight for our freedom, for our independency.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2022
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Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.—
Barton Swaim,
WSJ,
27 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autonomy. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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