free speech
noun
: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
also
: the right to such speech
an unconstitutional restraint on free speech —
Nat'l Law Jour.
Nat'l Law Jour. Examples of free speech in a Sentence
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The trial will determine whether the administration has violated the plaintiffs' First Amendment free speech rights.
—Nate Raymond, USA Today, 7 July 2025
The debate in this case centering around whether O’Connell was actually obstructing immigration proceedings —rather than operating within the powers of a mayor — sheds light on the free speech concerns in Blackburn’s bill.
—Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 7 July 2025
The opinion in the case, Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, was written by Justice Clarence Thomas, who, until recently, was something of a free speech absolutist.
—Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 5 July 2025
Her willingness to set aside free speech values prompted push-back from journalists.
—Meg James Los Angeles Times, arkansasonline.com, 3 July 2025
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Nate Raymond, USA Today, 7 July 2025
The debate in this case centering around whether O’Connell was actually obstructing immigration proceedings —rather than operating within the powers of a mayor — sheds light on the free speech concerns in Blackburn’s bill.
—Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 7 July 2025
The opinion in the case, Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, was written by Justice Clarence Thomas, who, until recently, was something of a free speech absolutist.
—Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 5 July 2025
Her willingness to set aside free speech values prompted push-back from journalists.
—Meg James Los Angeles Times, arkansasonline.com, 3 July 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 16 Jul. 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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