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independence
/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəns/
freedom from control
The country declared its independence in 1947.
The country formally announced its freedom from foreign rule in 1947.
formal
The state of being free from outside control or influence; self-governance.
The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal.
The document asserts that people have the right to govern themselves without external domination.
After years of struggle, the colony won its independence from the empire.
After prolonged conflict, the colony achieved self-rule and severed ties with the ruling power.
Often used in political, historical, or social contexts to describe nations, groups, or individuals.
general
The ability to act or make decisions without being controlled by others.
Financial independence allows you to make choices based on your values, not necessity.
Having enough personal wealth means you can decide how to live without being forced by financial constraints.
Commonly used in personal development and lifestyle discussions.
technical
In psychology, the capacity to function autonomously and make decisions without excessive dependence on others.
Therapists work on building a patient's independence in daily decision-making.
Therapists aim to strengthen a patient's ability to make choices without relying heavily on others.
Refers to emotional or behavioral autonomy.
Collocations
financial independencehaving enough wealth to live without workingpolitical independencesovereignty free from foreign rulepersonal independenceability to live and make decisions without reliance on others
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Do not pair 'independence' with 'freedom' in the same sentence unless emphasizing different aspects (e.g., 'political independence and economic freedom').
Gold Rule
Capitalization in formal contexts
Capitalize 'Independence' when referring to a specific historical event (e.g., 'Independence Day').
Word Origin
From Latin *in-* (not) + *dependentia* (dependence), meaning 'not dependent.' First recorded in English in the late 16th century.
Usage Notes
Used broadly across contexts—political, personal, and social. Avoid confusing with 'independency,' which is a rare variant mainly used in legal contexts.
Word Breakdown
in-
not
prefixdepend
to rely on
root-ence
state or quality of
suffixEnglish Dictionary