If I borrow the money, I feel like I'll lose my autonomy.
Source: tatoeba (2840517)
Autonomy
/ɔːˈtɒn.ə.mi/
Synonyms for "autonomy" (163 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (33)
Noun(11 words)
ability to cause changeact independentlyagenciesagentialityagenticnessby oneselfcreative freedomdiscretionemancipationempoweringexercise agency
absolute monarchyaristocracyautarchyautarkyautocracyautonomousnesscoalition governmentcolonialismcommonwealthconstitutional governmentconstitutional monarchydeclaration of independencedemocracydictatorshipdominion ruleduarchyduumviratedyarchyfederal governmentfederation
Adjective(2 words)
agential roledanish frihed
Strong matches (49)
feudal systemfree willgarrison stategerontocracygratuitousnessheteronomyhierarchyhierocracyhome ruleindependenceindividualisminner-directionlimited monarchymartial lawmeritocracymilitarismmilitary governmentmob rulemobocracymonarchy
Noun(24 words)
free to actfreedomfreedom and responsibilityfreedom to choosefreedomsfreewillgone soloindependenceindependence preferenceindependence struggleindependent board of directorsindependent studyindividualityjudiciarieslearner independenceliberationlibertylocal controlmachine autonomymake a choice
Show 4 more words
manage yourselfmore independentmore individual-choicemost agentic
Adjective(4 words)
independent effortindependent ofitalian indipendenzalocal agency
Adverb(1 words)
less communal attitudes
Related words (81)
Noun(32 words)
most sovereignnative self-governmentowned bypeer group pressurepersonal agencyportuguese agênciaprovide spaceregional autonomyregional self-governmentright to self determinationself determinationself governingself governmentself relianceself ruleself sufficiencyself-directed learningself-directionself-governmentself-governments
Show 12 more words
self-relianceself-ruleself-sufficiencysense of individualityseparatismsovereigntystudent autonomysvobodaunfetteringwillfulnesswork alonework independently
Adjective(9 words)
national independencenorwegian frihetpersonal choicepersonal freedomprivate autonomysovereign authoritiesswedish frihetswedish självständighetunservile
neocolonialismochlocracyoligarchypantisocracypatriarchatepatriarchypolice statepure democracyregencyrepresentative democracyrepresentative governmentrepublicrugged individualismself-actionself-activityself-containmentself-determinationself-directionself-governmentself-reliance
Show 20 more words
self-sufficiencysocial democracyspontaneityspontaneousnessstratocracytechnocracythearchytheocracytotalitarian governmenttotalitarian regimetriarchytriumviratetyrannyunforcednessvoluntarinessvoluntarismvoluntaryismvolunteervolunteeringwelfare state
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: ability to cause change, absolute monarchy, act independently, agencies, agential role.
- Sentence evidence is available for autonomy, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "autonomy".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "autonomy"
Keep "autonomy" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "autonomy" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "autonomy", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "autonomy" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriesMore specific
8 entriescultural autonomyindependent studyinstitutional autonomylocal autonomymunicipal autonomyregional autonomyself-paced learningstudent directed learning
Collocations
6 entriesInflections
1 entriesDerivations
2 entriesSample sentences
13 total sentences available.
Scotland has been agitating for centuries to achieve greater autonomy from the British central government in London.
Source: tatoeba (3028922)
In 1876 there was created the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, in which Hungary enjoyed a greater amount of autonomy.
Source: tatoeba (4834073)
The Kabyles are ostracized by the Algerian government especially as many express their desire for autonomy or even independence.
Source: tatoeba (8107371)
Showing 4 of 13 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "autonomy"?
Closest matches include ability to cause change, absolute monarchy, act independently, agencies, agential role.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "autonomy"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.