WordValeautonomy
the right of self-government
In more detail
1. (noun) the power or right to make your own decisions and govern yourself
2. (noun) in a country or region, the power to govern itself rather than being controlled by another country
Examples
- 1. Parents should give their children some autonomy to make choices about their own lives.
- 2. The region demanded greater autonomy from the central government.
How to use autonomy
Autonomy refers to the capacity or right to self-govern, whether at the individual, organizational, or national level. It emphasizes control over one's own affairs rather than being subject to external authority. The term is used in philosophical, political, legal, and medical contexts, often with a formal or academic tone.
Common phrases
- personal autonomy
- national autonomy
- autonomy of the individual
- regional autonomy
- grant autonomy
- respect someone's autonomy
Synonyms
independence · self-governance · self-determination · freedom · sovereignty
Opposites
dependence · subordination · control
Word family
autonomous (adjective) · autonomously (adverb) · autonomous vehicle
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse autonomy with anonymity; autonomy concerns self-governance, while anonymity means being unidentified.
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