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
In Sonnenfeld’s telling, the president’s recent moves substitute executive discretion for market outcomes, leaving managers and shareholders operating not within a free market, but at the pleasure of the White House.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Supporters of switching to the euro from the old currency, the lev, are praising the move as one of the greatest achievements since the 1989 transition from a Soviet-style economy to democracy and free markets.
—Veselin Toshkov, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
The movement emphasized limited government, self-reliance, liberty, morals and free markets and sought to assert America’s influence throughout the world, promoting democracy and opposing communism.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
For those who say the burden should fall on individuals, reliance on the free market drives the fix – on the premise that competition between health insurers and providers offers a more effective way to solve the cost challenges than a government intervention.
—Robert Applebaum, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free market
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Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Supporters of switching to the euro from the old currency, the lev, are praising the move as one of the greatest achievements since the 1989 transition from a Soviet-style economy to democracy and free markets.
—Veselin Toshkov, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
The movement emphasized limited government, self-reliance, liberty, morals and free markets and sought to assert America’s influence throughout the world, promoting democracy and opposing communism.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
For those who say the burden should fall on individuals, reliance on the free market drives the fix – on the premise that competition between health insurers and providers offers a more effective way to solve the cost challenges than a government intervention.
—Robert Applebaum, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 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 14 Jan. 2026.
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