free association
noun
1
a
: the expression (as by speaking or writing) of the content of consciousness without censorship as an aid in gaining access to unconscious processes especially in psychoanalysis
b
: the reporting of the first thought that comes to mind in response to a given stimulus (such as a word)
2
: an idea or image elicited by free association
3
: a method using free association
Examples of free association in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Written and directed by Kaufman and adapted from Ian Reid's novel by the same name, the film is a psychological thriller that traffics in the surreal, shifting fluidly between narrative and free association, all grounded in excellent performances by the film's actors.
—
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Cook Islands is a self-governing country with a 60-year free association relationship to New Zealand, which means it's defended by New Zealand's military, and citizens can live and work freely in New Zealand.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2026
Cook Islands is a self-governing country with a 60-year free association relationship to New Zealand, which means it’s defended by New Zealand’s military, and citizens can live and work freely in New Zealand.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Unmoored from tradition and offering only vague, impressionistic lyrics, Granli’s quavering performances on Rosacea become Rorschach tests, ripe for free association with whatever images your psyche can dredge up.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
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Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Cook Islands is a self-governing country with a 60-year free association relationship to New Zealand, which means it's defended by New Zealand's military, and citizens can live and work freely in New Zealand.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2026
Cook Islands is a self-governing country with a 60-year free association relationship to New Zealand, which means it’s defended by New Zealand’s military, and citizens can live and work freely in New Zealand.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Unmoored from tradition and offering only vague, impressionistic lyrics, Granli’s quavering performances on Rosacea become Rorschach tests, ripe for free association with whatever images your psyche can dredge up.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for free association
Cite this Entry
“Free association.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20association. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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