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
Such behavior systematically chips away at a person’s autonomy, Meier said.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
The event is hosted by the nonprofit Compassion & Choices, which works to improve patient autonomy and individual choice at the end of life.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
Shoppers are also reluctant to give away their autonomy.
—Mark Bartholomew, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, people express themselves through their hair, and the club shouldn’t be able to control a person’s autonomy.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
The event is hosted by the nonprofit Compassion & Choices, which works to improve patient autonomy and individual choice at the end of life.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
Shoppers are also reluctant to give away their autonomy.
—Mark Bartholomew, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, people express themselves through their hair, and the club shouldn’t be able to control a person’s autonomy.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
-
Make one intentional choice with your money or time, and follow through fully.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Havertz is Julian Nagelsmann’s first-choice forward and, if fit, will surely start as part of a front three with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala at the World Cup.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the king is expected to express the highest regard and friendship between the two countries on the 250th anniversary year of independence, creating what the palace called one of the greatest alliances in human history.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The occasion was one of many events this year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence from Britain, and this one was an address from the reigning British monarch.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That's why Utah, a state that prides itself on sovereignty and small-government, is seeking federal help to revive a landmark that is culturally, environmentally and economically vital to the region.—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Chinese version of Apple Maps doesn’t recognize the sovereignty of Taiwan, and the Chinese version of iOS excludes Taiwan’s flag from the emoji keyboard.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, for the first time since the 1940s, wild, wacky Uranus will be in your sign for the next seven years, giving you a strong drive for freedom.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Trying on a kind of spiritual drag, these guys find something that looks like freedom.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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
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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 2 May. 2026.
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