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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Public-facing forums, symposia and town halls on civil liberties, free speech and public service can showcase the university as a national leader in bridging divides.
—John Marino, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Despite the variety of organizations and government actions involved in these lawsuits, they all can be seen as struggles over free speech and expression, like Vullo.
—Ray Brescia, The Conversation, 23 June 2025
Khalil's lawyers say the Trump administration violated his constitutional rights around free speech and due process.
—Hannan Adely, USA Today, 22 June 2025
In Arkansas, the ACLU successfully argued in 2023 that the first-in-the-nation ban on gender-affirming care for minors violated the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause, as well as its Due Process Clause and the First Amendment’s protections of free speech.
—Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 21 June 2025
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John Marino, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Despite the variety of organizations and government actions involved in these lawsuits, they all can be seen as struggles over free speech and expression, like Vullo.
—Ray Brescia, The Conversation, 23 June 2025
Khalil's lawyers say the Trump administration violated his constitutional rights around free speech and due process.
—Hannan Adely, USA Today, 22 June 2025
In Arkansas, the ACLU successfully argued in 2023 that the first-in-the-nation ban on gender-affirming care for minors violated the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause, as well as its Due Process Clause and the First Amendment’s protections of free speech.
—Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 21 June 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 9 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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