free speech
noun
: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
also
: the right to such speech
… speakers were allowed to exercise their constitutional right of free speech … —
Harold Ickes
Harold Ickes Examples of free speech in a Sentence
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The spokesperson also said the school believes in free speech.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
In response to the lawsuit, eternal law student Kardashian filed her own anti-SLAPP motion — a motion to protect free speech against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation — in an effort to dismiss the lawsuit.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
The brief contends that regulating super PAC contributions imposes minimal constraints on free speech rights.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2025
That's likely because Embry-Riddle, as a private university, doesn't have to guarantee students' free speech rights.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
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Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
In response to the lawsuit, eternal law student Kardashian filed her own anti-SLAPP motion — a motion to protect free speech against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation — in an effort to dismiss the lawsuit.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
The brief contends that regulating super PAC contributions imposes minimal constraints on free speech rights.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2025
That's likely because Embry-Riddle, as a private university, doesn't have to guarantee students' free speech rights.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free speech
Cite this Entry
“Free speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20speech. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
free speech
noun1
: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
setting off an alarm bell is not free speech—A. M. Dershowitz
A. M. Dershowitz2
: freedom of speech
an unconstitutional restraint on free speech—National Law Journal
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