civil liberty
noun
: freedom from arbitrary governmental interference (as with the right of free speech) specifically by denial of governmental power and in the U.S. especially as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights
—usually used in plural
civil libertarian
noun or adjective
Examples of civil liberty in a Sentence
Freedom of speech is a civil liberty.
Recent Examples on the Web
Democrats see him as a threat to civil liberties and immigration — a danger to the Constitution.
—
Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Indeed, in recent years, India has witnessed a crackdown on media freedom and civil liberties, and experts say upcoming polls will serve as a litmus test for its democratic values and the nation's commitment to upholding the principles enshrined in its constitution.
—Fahad Shah, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2024
The reauthorization is tied to a series of reforms aimed at satisfying critics who complained of civil liberties violations against Americans.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024
The reauthorization is currently tied to a series of reforms aimed at satisfying critics who complained of civil liberties violations against Americans.
—Farnoush Amiri and Eric Tucker, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
Until then, tech companies probably will not make major changes to their programs to counter disinformation, even as the U.S. presidential election approaches, said David Greene, the civil liberties director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
—Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
Justin Trudeau’s government is no respecter of civil liberties.
—John Fund, National Review, 17 Mar. 2024
In cities in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, politicians have managed to decrease homicides without eroding civil and human rights by making sustained investments in democratic policing, which emphasizes transparency, accountability, and civil liberties.
—Gustavo Flores-Macías, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2024
Duterte took offense when world leaders criticized his war on drugs for violating human rights and civil liberties, and at various points threatened to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States and to expel European diplomats.
—Regine Cabato, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024
Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Indeed, in recent years, India has witnessed a crackdown on media freedom and civil liberties, and experts say upcoming polls will serve as a litmus test for its democratic values and the nation's commitment to upholding the principles enshrined in its constitution.
—Fahad Shah, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2024
The reauthorization is tied to a series of reforms aimed at satisfying critics who complained of civil liberties violations against Americans.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024
The reauthorization is currently tied to a series of reforms aimed at satisfying critics who complained of civil liberties violations against Americans.
—Farnoush Amiri and Eric Tucker, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
Until then, tech companies probably will not make major changes to their programs to counter disinformation, even as the U.S. presidential election approaches, said David Greene, the civil liberties director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
—Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
Justin Trudeau’s government is no respecter of civil liberties.
—John Fund, National Review, 17 Mar. 2024
In cities in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, politicians have managed to decrease homicides without eroding civil and human rights by making sustained investments in democratic policing, which emphasizes transparency, accountability, and civil liberties.
—Gustavo Flores-Macías, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2024
Duterte took offense when world leaders criticized his war on drugs for violating human rights and civil liberties, and at various points threatened to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States and to expel European diplomats.
—Regine Cabato, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'civil liberty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near civil liberty
Cite this Entry
“Civil liberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20liberty. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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