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
The lawsuit by the Jenner & Block firm, filed in federal district court in Washington, D.C., alleges violations of the First Amendment guarantees to free speech and free association.
—
Carrie Johnson, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Alex customizes the work for each client based on a combination of brand briefings, his own research, and free associations with the subject.
—Michelle Greenwald, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Puerto Rico has been stuck in limbo as a United States territory since 1898, with its citizens being split between statehood, independence and free association.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 12 Feb. 2025
While there has even been some talk of a military invasion, there are other ways America could gain control of the Arctic territory, such as free association, which is the ability to maintain self-government along with a voluntary and mutual partnership with a sovereign state.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free association
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Carrie Johnson, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Alex customizes the work for each client based on a combination of brand briefings, his own research, and free associations with the subject.
—Michelle Greenwald, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Puerto Rico has been stuck in limbo as a United States territory since 1898, with its citizens being split between statehood, independence and free association.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 12 Feb. 2025
While there has even been some talk of a military invasion, there are other ways America could gain control of the Arctic territory, such as free association, which is the ability to maintain self-government along with a voluntary and mutual partnership with a sovereign state.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
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 23 Jun. 2025.
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