English adjective: independent | |||
1. | independent free from external control and constraint | ||
Samples | An independent mind. A series of independent judgments. Fiercely independent individualism. | ||
Similar | autarkic, autarkical, autonomous, autonomous, breakaway, case-by-case, commutative, fissiparous, free-living, indie, individual, item-by-item, nonparasitic, nonsymbiotic, self-directed, self-reliant, self-sufficient, self-sufficing, self-supporting, self-sustaining, separatist, single-handed, strong-minded, unaffiliated, unconditional | ||
See also | free, separate | ||
Attribute | independence, independency | ||
Antonyms | dependent | ||
2. | independent (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces | ||
Samples | An autonomous judiciary. A sovereign state. | ||
Synonyms | autonomous, self-governing, sovereign | ||
Similar | free | ||
Antonyms | unfree | ||
3. | independent (of a clause) capable of standing syntactically alone as a complete sentence | ||
Samples | The main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb. | ||
Synonyms | main | ||
Domain category | grammar | ||
Antonyms | dependent, subordinate | ||
4. | independent not controlled by a party or interest group | ||
Similar | nonpartisan, nonpartizan | ||
Antonyms | partisan, partizan | ||
English noun: independent | |||
1. | independent (person) a neutral or uncommitted person (especially in politics) | ||
Synonyms | fencesitter, mugwump | ||
Broader (hypernym) | individualist | ||
Domain category | government, political science, politics | ||
2. | independent (person) a writer or artist who sells services to different employers without a long-term contract with any of them | ||
Synonyms | free lance, free-lance, freelance, freelancer, self-employed person | ||
Broader (hypernym) | worker | ||