Directed by one's own informed choices rather than by outside control.
Reach for it when praising genuine agency supported by enough information and practical freedom
The self-determined residents chose their own priorities for the grant.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional |
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| formal | |
| literary |
everyday
Fits when freedom from reliance or control is central
Careful Independence can ignore the relationships that make self-determination possible.
everyday
Fits when handling needs without excessive dependence is admirable
Careful Self-reliance concerns resources and skill more than the right to choose.
warm
Fits when chosen direction is visible in consistent action
Careful Purposeful behavior may still follow goals imposed by someone else.
professional
agentic
Fits when the capacity to initiate and shape action is being analyzed
Careful Agentic is specialist language and can sound clinical in personal praise.
professional
Fits when independent authority or operation is the exact issue
Careful Autonomy can be legal or technical without reflecting a person's chosen purpose.
formal
self-governing
Fits when a community or body makes its own rules
Careful Self-governance concerns authority, not every individual's personal direction.
literary
free-willed
Fits when voluntary choice is the philosophical emphasis
Careful The phrase raises metaphysical questions that practical agency does not require.
self-determined life
Accessible transport helped her lead a self-determined life.
self-determined choice
A self-determined choice requires information in a form the person can use.
remain self-determined
Residents can remain self-determined while accepting practical support.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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