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 now trial lawyers are courting the GOP and conservative leaders with a spate of lawsuits against Big Tech and Big Media, two industries that conservatives have traditionally felt are hostile to free markets and conservative values.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Despite this, Hazlitt understood that societies predicated on free markets, private property rights and limited government were fragile, constantly threatened by the allure of socialist and redistributionist ideas.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
Capitalism, in contrast, was thought to be about free markets.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Skeptics say this kind of government intervention goes against free market values — and raises the risks of big losses for taxpayers.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free market
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.
Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Despite this, Hazlitt understood that societies predicated on free markets, private property rights and limited government were fragile, constantly threatened by the allure of socialist and redistributionist ideas.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
Capitalism, in contrast, was thought to be about free markets.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Skeptics say this kind of government intervention goes against free market values — and raises the risks of big losses for taxpayers.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 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 4 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share