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
Recent Examples on the Web
The judge also said there is reason to believe the department’s actions amount to a violation of teachers’ free speech rights.
—Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The fierce debate has become a test of free speech in Mexico.
—Justin Porter, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
These changes make support for free speech increasingly important.
—Daniel Hall, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
However, critics argue the administration is leveraging the order to stifle free speech.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
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Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The fierce debate has become a test of free speech in Mexico.
—Justin Porter, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
These changes make support for free speech increasingly important.
—Daniel Hall, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
However, critics argue the administration is leveraging the order to stifle free speech.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 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 6 May. 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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