Antonyms for agency refer to terms that signify a lack of autonomy, self-determination, or control over one’s actions or decisions. These concepts stand in direct contrast to the idea of agency, which embodies the capacity for individuals to make choices, take initiative, and exert influence over their own lives. Antonyms for agency encompass a range of terms that convey constraint, dependence, and restriction instead of freedom and empowerment.
In the realm of psychology and sociology, the concept of agency plays a crucial role in understanding human behavior and decision-making processes. Antonyms for agency serve to highlight instances where individuals may feel disempowered, oppressed, or subject to external forces beyond their control. By exploring these opposing terms, scholars and researchers gain insight into the complex dynamics of power, choice, and social structures that shape individual agency.
While agency empowers individuals to act independently and assert their will, antonyms for agency suggest limitations, external influences, and barriers that impede personal autonomy and self-direction. By examining these contrasting terms, we gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of human agency and the various factors that can either enable or constrain individual empowerment and freedom of choice.
35 Antonyms for AGENCY With Sentences
Here’s a complete list of opposite for agency. Practice and let us know if you have any questions regarding AGENCY antonyms.
| Antonym | Sentence with Agency | Sentence with Antonym |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent | She exercises agency in her career decisions. | She is completely dependent on others for her career decisions. |
| Inactivity | The company promotes employee agency in decision-making. | The company discourages employee inactivity in decision-making. |
| Passivity | The program aims to empower women and promote agency in society. | The program discourages women from being passive in society. |
| Suppression | Individuals should have the agency to make choices for themselves. | Individuals should not face suppression in making choices for themselves. |
| Unconstrained | Employees have the agency to choose their working hours. | Employees do not have unconstrained freedom in choosing their working hours. |
| Coercion | Healthy relationships are built on mutual agency and respect. | Unhealthy dynamics often involve one person using coercion instead of mutual agency. |
| Subjugation | The policy changes aim to give citizens more agency in governance. | The policy changes aim to reduce citizen subjugation in governance decisions. |
| Lack of autonomy | Giving students more agency in their education can lead to better outcomes. | Limiting students’ autonomy can result in a lack of agency in their education. |
| Servitude | Workers should not feel agency in decision-making processes at the workplace. | Workers should not be subjected to servitude but should have a say in decision-making processes at the workplace. |
| Obedience | Children should be encouraged to exercise their agency in making choices. | Children should not be expected to blindly follow rules in the absence of obedience to authority figures. |
| Imposition | The law acknowledges the agency of individuals to make legal decisions. | The imposition of external rules can limit individual agency in such matters. |
| Constrained | The initiative aims to empower marginalized communities to have more agency. | The current system keeps these communities constrained from exercising their agency. |
| Inhibition | The workshop focuses on removing barriers to individual agency. | Personal growth can be hindered by internal inhibition of one’s agency. |
| Stifling | A healthy partnership allows both parties to have equal agency in decision-making. | Unequal power dynamics can lead to one party feeling stifled in their agency. |
| Domination | The goal is to create spaces where everyone has equal agency. | Domination of one group over another can result in a loss of agency for the oppressed group. |
| Disempowerment | The mentorship program was designed to help individuals regain their agency. | Disempowerment occurs when individuals feel stripped of their agency and autonomy. |
| Limitation | Effective leadership involves giving team members agency to make decisions. | Micromanagement places restrictions and limitations on the team members’ agency. |
| Restraint | Countries must respect the agency of their citizens in decision-making processes. | Oppressive regimes often use restraint to limit the agency of their citizens. |
| Incompetence | With the right support, individuals can develop their confidence and agency. | The feeling of incompetence can lead to a lack of agency in various aspects of life. |
| Incapacitation | People with disabilities have the right to exercise their agency in society. | Incapacitation can prevent individuals from fully exercising their agency in decision-making processes. |
| Obeying | The organization encourages employees to have agency in innovative projects. | Simply obeying orders without questioning can limit one’s agency in contributing ideas. |
| Conformity | The school promotes student agency in choosing extracurricular activities. | Excessive pressure to adhere to social norms can restrict the conformity and agency of students. |
| Apathy | Engaging in activism is one way to exercise agency for societal change. | Apathy towards social issues can limit one’s agency in contributing to change. |
| Captivity | Animals in captivity have limited agency over their surroundings. | Captivity often entails the restriction of agency and freedom. |
| Subordination | The activist group fights for women’s agency in society. | Subordination can lead to a lack of agency and individual rights. |
| Coerciveness | Non-profit organizations aim to empower marginalized communities with agency. | Coerciveness can strip individuals of their agency and ability to make choices. |
| Dysfunction | Strengthening family bonds can lead to better communication and agency among members. | Family dysfunction can hinder the development of healthy agency dynamics. |
| Interference | Students should be given agency to choose projects that interest them. | Educational interference can limit students’ agency in pursuing their passions. |
| Enslavement | The legal system should uphold individual agency and rights. | Enslavement involves a complete lack of agency and autonomy. |
| Constriction | Empowering employees with agency can enhance organizational productivity. | Micromanagement can lead to constriction and limitation of employee agency and creativity. |
Final Thoughts about Antonyms of AGENCY
Understanding the concept of autonomy involves recognizing its opposite, dependency. Autonomy refers to the ability to make decisions and take action independently, while dependency suggests reliance on external sources for direction. Individuals with agency possess the autonomy to make choices and exert control over their lives, whereas those lacking agency may feel powerless and unable to shape their own paths.
By exploring antonyms for agency such as constraint and subordination, we gain insight into the importance of autonomy in empowering individuals to assert themselves and navigate their environments. Recognizing the contrast between agency and its opposites sheds light on the value of autonomy in fostering personal growth, decision-making, and self-determination.