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
Milei’s agenda of deregulation and free markets was unheard-of in deeply statist Argentina.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
Like their forebears in a bygone era of Republican politics, their beliefs are defined by faith in free markets and suspicion of government meddling in society.
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Individual freedom, limited government, the rule of law, peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, free markets, human dignity.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
On the free market, the unit could fetch three thousand, easy.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free market
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Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
Like their forebears in a bygone era of Republican politics, their beliefs are defined by faith in free markets and suspicion of government meddling in society.
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Individual freedom, limited government, the rule of law, peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, free markets, human dignity.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
On the free market, the unit could fetch three thousand, easy.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2025.
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