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
Relevance
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
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 autonomy
Since his arrival, the now 53-year-old has fundamentally reconstructed the football department and amassed major autonomy to shape Villa in his preferred image.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Chainlink Labs nurtures respect by emphasizing autonomy, diversity and professional growth, offering employees flexibility and ownership over their work.
—Newsweek Rankings, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Along the same lines, bodily autonomy is a core American value.
—Ash Lazarus Orr, Rolling Stone, 23 May 2025
The goal is to promote consistency in the classroom and reduce planning time for teachers while keeping their autonomy intact.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Chainlink Labs nurtures respect by emphasizing autonomy, diversity and professional growth, offering employees flexibility and ownership over their work.
—Newsweek Rankings, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Along the same lines, bodily autonomy is a core American value.
—Ash Lazarus Orr, Rolling Stone, 23 May 2025
The goal is to promote consistency in the classroom and reduce planning time for teachers while keeping their autonomy intact.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
-
Goal of the season This was a choice between Bowen’s superb strike from outside the box against Ipswich and his volley against Forest.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
Columnist Jarrett Bell explores the difficult choice.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
The region’s hip-hop culture is known for its independence and insular spirit born of a combination of pimp culture, Black Panther ideology, and funk music.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
But Ukraine accuses Russia of seeking to seize control of the country and remove its sovereignty in an imperial war of aggression.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
-
Canadians were not happy when U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended a state visit invitation to Mr. Trump on behalf of the king during a time when Mr. Trump threatened Canada’s sovereignty.—
ROB GILLIES,
Christian Science Monitor,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
However, Gomez said, the overall takeaway from the L.A. event was just how pervasive the sense of fear for press freedom has become.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
-
Shortly after, Mars will square Uranus on June 15, creating a volatile energy between your desire for personal freedom and autonomy, versus unpredictable events that shake up your day-to-day routines and sense of stability.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share