free market
noun
plural free markets
: an economic system in which prices are based on competition among private businesses and are not controlled or regulated by a government : a market (see market entry 1 sense 4d) operating by free competition
… the free market works best when businesses compete to provide the best services …—
Chris Tomlinson
Chris TomlinsonA free market, technically, requires no government intervention, which is why capitalists usually land on the right of the political spectrum. In America, the government regulates businesses for reasons of social welfare and public safety …, so we don't operate in a truly free market.—Carolyn Twersky
—often hyphenated when used before another nounCarolyn Twerskyfree-market competition
free-market principles
One of the basic premises of the free-market system is that actors are free to buy from or sell to a variety of other actors.—Barry C. Lynn
Barry C. LynnExamples of free market in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But ultimately, bond traders are going to make up their own minds, giving us a bond market that adheres to free market dynamics.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
The emphasis on free markets picks up on a liberal strand and celebrates it.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
Wood said that the Google is manipulating the market in a way that is antithetical to free market competition.
—Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
One is that the free market, meaning supply and demand, not government fiat, should set prices and production levels.
—Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free market
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Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
The emphasis on free markets picks up on a liberal strand and celebrates it.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
Wood said that the Google is manipulating the market in a way that is antithetical to free market competition.
—Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
One is that the free market, meaning supply and demand, not government fiat, should set prices and production levels.
—Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free market
Cite this Entry
“Free market.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20market. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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