Skip to main content
autonomous

autonomous

51 6.3
Free to make its own decisions without outside control
  • adjective
  • /ɔːˈtɒnəməs/
translation icon : autónomo
  • In reality, we may start to see some fully autonomous vehicles on certain roads.
  • an autonomous region
  • an autonomous state
  • an autonomous municipality

There's at a certain point autonomous trucks are just robots.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • So it's an autonomous region within Iraq.

  • Celeste felt alive, creative, and autonomous, in command of her own destiny.

  • For older people, I see the autonomous vehicle as independence.

  • Each person was an autonomous individual who expressed what they believed.

  • It's fully autonomous and capable of modifying its external appearance.

  • The trains are autonomous.

  • The new policy allowed the region to become autonomous, with its own government and decision-making powers.

  • She felt autonomous after moving out of her parents' house and starting her own career.

  • In an autonomous society, individuals have the right to make their own choices without external control.

Synonyms

independent
vsautonomous
984 2.3

Not controlled by others

emphasizes the power to govern oneself rather than mere freedom from control
sovereign
vsautonomous
82 7.0

Has full political independence from other countries

is broader covering people and things not only national political authority
self-reliant
vsautonomous
13 4.5

Able to act and decide without help from others

is about freedom to govern oneself rather than depending on personal resources
self-governing
vsautonomous
4 4.7

Able to make its own rules and run its own affairs without outside control

applies more widely beyond political bodies including people and things
self-regulating
vsautonomous
2 5.2

Can adjust and control itself without outside help

relies on freedom to govern oneself rather than internal adjustment processes
self-directed
vsautonomous
1 5.1

A person who decides and acts on their own without being told

focuses on the power to govern oneself rather than personal initiative
agentic
vsautonomous
  • Specialized
1 7.8

Able to act and make choices for oneself

stresses governing freedom and control rather than general capacity to act

Antonyms

182 2.8

Relying on someone else for help or support

Compounds

Online videos and streams made to cause the pleasant tingling feeling and help people relax

A pleasant tingling on the scalp that moves down the neck and spine and makes you feel very relaxed

A region in southwest China in the Himalayas with its own local government and distinct culture

A region in far northwest China that is home to many Uighur people

How Independent

sovereign
82 7.0
autonomous
51 6.3
dependent
182 2.8

Surface Forms

autonomous positive

Morphology

autonomous = autonomy (transparent) = autonomy + ous

Meaning is directly derived from 'autonomy' (freedom/self-rule) with the adjectival suffix '-ous' meaning 'having or relating to', so learners who know 'autonomy' can infer 'autonomous'.

Etymology

Autonomous comes from Greek parts auto- 'self' and -nomos 'law'. Think of auto- like in automatic meaning 'self', so something autonomous makes its own rules and governs itself.