autonomy

The freedom to make your own decisions and control your own actions.

• Teachers need some autonomy in their work.
• The policy gives patients greater autonomy over treatment decisions.
• She values her autonomy and dislikes being told what to do.

How to use it: autonomy over something (Staff have autonomy over how they organize their work.)

Similar words: independence, self-determination

Opposites: dependence

Common phrases: personal autonomy, professional autonomy, autonomy over something

The right or ability of a region or group to govern itself.

• The region demanded greater autonomy.
• Local councils gained autonomy over education spending.
• The agreement granted political autonomy to the island.

How to use it: autonomy from something (The region seeks autonomy from the central government.)

Similar words: self-government, self-rule

Common phrases: regional autonomy, political autonomy, autonomy from something

A community that manages its own affairs, such as a church with some ties to a larger church.

• Each autonomy manages its own affairs.
• The council represents several local autonomies.
• This church autonomy chooses its own rules for daily administration.

Similar words: self-governing community

Common phrases: local autonomy, church autonomy