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Glite Dictionary
unbeholden

unbeholden

8.4
Not owing anything to anyone or under their influence
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌn.bɪˈhoʊldən/
  • Formal
translation icon : independiente
  • He preferred to remain unbeholden to any influences that might affect his decisions.

Examples

  • The artist aimed to create works that were unbeholden to commercial pressures.

  • Not until I'm settled again and unbeholden.

    Ruby in Paradise (1993)

  • After years of hard work, she finally felt unbeholden to anyone for her success.

Synonyms

unaccountable
vsunbeholden
9 7.3

Not held responsible by others for actions

highlights absence of owing or social duty rather than lack of oversight
unobligated
vsunbeholden
7.4

Free from a duty or promise to do something

focuses on freedom from moral or social obligation

Antonyms

beholden
  • Formal
32 8.0

Feeling that you should repay someone for their help

obligated
20 4.2

Required by law or duty to do something

How Obligated

beholden
  • Formal
32 8.0
indebted
16 5.6
obliged
1 4.4
unbeholden
  • Formal
8.4
independent
984 2.3

Surface Forms

unbeholden positive

Morphology

unbeholden = beholden (transparent) = un + beholden

The prefix 'un-' clearly negates the meaning of 'beholden', making it transparent.

Etymology

Unbeholden is made from un- ('not') and beholden, which comes from the old word hold meaning 'to hold' or 'to be under someone's power'. So, unbeholden is 'not held' by anyone — not owing anything to them.