autonomy

noun

ȯ-ˈtä-nə-mē How to pronounce autonomy (audio)
Definition of autonomynext
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

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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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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 Expand autonomy as confidence, measurable value and operational trust increase. — Claudio Laterreur, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Monetizing attention is, of course, widely considered a net negative for civil discourse and cognitive autonomy—such as what students practiced on college quads across America to protest the Gaza war. — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 There are more details about his parents, a sojourn into San Francisco’s bustling Chinatown and an assertion of autonomy within the Trask household, of which Lee is an essential part. — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026 Kruglov also told the Times that this latest aggression is part of a larger strategy to eliminate Ukrainian cultural autonomy. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
  1. choice
  2. independence
  3. sovereignty
  4. freedom
  5. independency
Noun
  • The technology that investors and governments are counting on to lift the global economy is also adding pressure that threatens growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund said, urging policymakers to stop delaying painful choices on debt.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • An excellent choice for meandering to the city’s biggest tourist draws.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of choice
Noun
  • Beyond the theatrical and streaming markets, the merger brings CBS News and CNN under the direction of a board that will ensure the editorial independence of each news outlet.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Support for Quebec independence remains at about 30%, low by historical standards, according to Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University.
    — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of independence
Noun
  • Although Koerte believes Europe needs to develop greater AI capabilities, complete sovereignty remains a pipe dream.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Rees-Mogg defended Britain’s decision to enter the war, arguing that the country’s victory over Nazi Germany preserved its sovereignty and prevented Hitler from continuing to expand across Europe.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • The arrests deepen concerns about press freedom in Egypt, where authorities have repeatedly accused journalists and government critics of Brotherhood ties or spreading false news.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • What unites the two candidates is the assumption that Brazil still has the freedom to choose its foreign policy strategy.
    — MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 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

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Cite this Entry

“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autonomy. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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