NYT Dictionary
INDEPENDENT
/ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt/AdjectiveNounin-de-PEND-entin-de-pend-ent · 4 syllablesGrade 6
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025
Meaning
Not dependent; not contingent or depending on something else; free.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From Middle English independent, equivalent to in- + dependent. Compare French indépendant.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
autonomousfreeself-standingsubstantiveundependentmugwumpfencesitterfreelancerfreelancesovereign
Antonyms
contingentdependent
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles: