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Meaning & use

independence

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/
US/ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The state of a country that governs itself and is not ruled by another.

    Grammar: Uncountable; often used with gain, declare, or win: declare independence.

    Patterns

    • independence from someone
    • independence of somewhere

    India gained independence in 1947.

    The region voted for independence from the central state.

    Many nations celebrate Independence Day each year.

  2. noununcountable

    The ability to take care of yourself and make your own choices without needing help.

    Grammar: Uncountable and often used about growing up: financial independence.

    Patterns

    • independence from someone

    Moving out gave her a feeling of independence.

    Teens crave independence from their parents.

    Financial independence takes years of saving.

  3. noununcountableformal

    The quality of being free from outside influence, especially in courts or the press.

    Grammar: Used for institutions: judicial independence.

    Patterns

    • independence of something

    The judge defended the independence of the courts.

    Editors insist on editorial independence.

    The agency protects its independence from politicians.

Common combinations

gain independence
The colony gained independence after a long struggle.
declare independence
The assembly declared independence in 1776.
financial independence
Her goal is financial independence by forty.
fight for independence
They fought for independence for years.
independence movement
The independence movement grew quickly.

Synonyms and how they differ

freedom
Freedom is broader and can mean freedom from many things, while independence stresses not relying on others.
autonomy
Autonomy suggests self-government within a bigger structure, less complete than independence.
sovereignty
Sovereignty is the legal right of a state to rule itself, more formal than independence.
self-reliance
Self-reliance focuses on personal ability to manage without help.

Opposites

dependencesubjection

Word family

independent adjective
not controlled by others
independently adverb
without help or influence
dependence noun
relying on others
interdependence noun
mutual reliance

Commonly confused: independence or independents?

independence vs independents

Independents are people not tied to a party, which is not the same as the abstract idea of independence.

Practice

The country declared ___ from its former ruler in 1960.

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