1
as in independence
the state of being free from the control or power of another we owe our freedom to the untold numbers of soldiers who have fought in our nation's wars since its founding

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2
as in latitude
the right to act or move freely as special guests of the owners, the youngsters had full freedom of the resort and its private beach

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How is the word freedom different from other nouns like it?

The words liberty and license are common synonyms of freedom. While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated.

freedom of the press

When could liberty be used to replace freedom?

In some situations, the words liberty and freedom are roughly equivalent. However, liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

In what contexts can license take the place of freedom?

While in some cases nearly identical to freedom, license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom.

freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of freedom No stress, no pretense, just pure fun and freedom. Sandy Pierre, Refinery29, 7 Nov. 2025 The designers therefore had much more freedom to balance practicality with aesthetics. Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025 So, there’s just this real freedom to it. Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Nov. 2025 Scott tried to buy his family’s freedom, but the widow turned him down. Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for freedom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for freedom
Noun
  • As this brief survey suggests, the patriots’ success in drawing foreign partners into the war was essential to achieving American independence.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The forest for the trees Nestled between China, India and Thailand, Myanmar gained independence from Britain in 1948 but came under military dictatorship in 1962.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Strong geomagnetic storms can also spark bright, dynamic auroras, sometimes much farther into mid-latitudes than normal.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Google’s plan is to launch the satellites into an orbit that would keep them in nearly continuous sunshine and receive up to eight times more solar power per year than a panel located on earth at mid-latitude.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • As South Asian publics have pushed back against governments closely aligned with New Delhi, Beijing has asserted itself, courting new regimes with loans and military hardware and stressing respect for their sovereignty.
    MUHIB RAHMAN, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
  • Leader Xi Jinping has pushed to modernize the military, particularly the navy, to challenge US dominance in the South China Sea and assert sovereignty claims over Taiwan.
    Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • However, attorneys representing businesses that sued the administration said using IEEPA in that way would require explicit authorization from Congress.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The agency, which handles employment authorization renewals, said its current processing time is four months in 80% of cases.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • One of the characters del Toro takes the most liberties with is Elizabeth.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The 1931 Frankenstein took several creative liberties with Shelley's novel — including changing the protagonist's name.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The scale of the Republican Party's triumph in 2024—taking the White House, flipping the Senate and maintaining control of the House—has sparked soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong, how to rebuild, and party leadership and direction.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The Philippines is one of Asia’s most flood-prone countries but this year it has also been mired in a massive corruption scandal involving flood control projects that have brought thousands of protesters out onto the streets.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • From his breakthrough images during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests to capturing photos of the Palestinian liberation movement, Hariman is also known for his historic achievement as the first Black man to photograph a British Vogue cover.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
  • My Seven Mothers is an eye-opening account of the challenges and possibilities connected with liberation and radical social change during the 1970s.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
  • The Maldives’ own India Out campaign—paradoxically led by Yameen after his electoral defeat to the pro-Indian politician Ibrahim Mohamed Solih—gained traction, casting India as a neo-imperial power.
    MUHIB RAHMAN, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Freedom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freedom. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

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