freedom

noun

free·dom | \ ˈfrē-dəm

Definition of freedom

1 : the quality or state of being free: such as

a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : independence

c : the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous freedom from care

d : unrestricted use gave him the freedom of their home

e : ease, facility spoke the language with freedom

f : the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken answered with freedom

g : improper familiarity

h : boldness of conception or execution

2a : a political right

b : franchise, privilege

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about freedom

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Choose the Right Synonym for freedom

freedom, liberty, license mean the power or condition of acting without compulsion. freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated. freedom of the press liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion. the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom. freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

Examples of freedom in a Sentence

Or Bugs would do the impossible by jumping out of the frame and landing on the drawing board of the cartoonist who was at work creating him. This freedom to transcend the laws of basic physics, to hop around in time and space, and to skip from one dimension to another has long been a crucial aspect of imaginative poetry. — Billy Collins, Wall Street Journal, 28-29 June 2008 I can see that my choices were never truly mine alone—and that that is how it should be, that to assert otherwise is to chase after a sorry sort of freedom. — Barack Obama, Dreams from My Father, (1995) 2004 It's the beginning of summer. … For many adults who are really closet kids, this means that their blood hums with a hint of freedom … — Anna Quindlen, Newsweek, 18 June 2001 He thinks children these days have too much freedom. She has the freedom to do as she likes. a political prisoner struggling to win his freedom

Recent Examples on the Web

But the case of Cixi — who was isolated, undereducated and never made a break for personal freedom — is a hard argument to make. — New York Times, "Was This Powerful Chinese Empress a Feminist Trailblazer?," 10 July 2018 For some reason, his school – in a country where freedom of speech is a constitution right, and the city of Frederick Douglass – turned his moment of triumph into a time of sorrow and pain. — Paula Rogo, Essence.com, "First Black Valedictorian Speaks At City Hall After High School Denies Him Graduation Speech," 7 July 2018 Eden Prince keeps that adorable vibe with a tinkering, future-R&B rhythm that's candy-coated for the freedom of emerging adulthood. — Kat Bein, Billboard, "The 5 Best Bazzi Remixes," 6 July 2018 Maria Corina is with the people of Venezuela in its fight for freedom. — Antonio Maria Delgado, miamiherald, "Venezuelan opposition activist says she isn't part of any Maduro assassination plot," 29 June 2018 Russia is number 180 out of 199 countries in Freedom House’s ranking for press freedom. — Trudy Rubin, Philly.com, "After Maryland shooting, Trump must quit embracing autocrats who squash the press | Trudy Rubin," 29 June 2018 As part of the investigation, the Justice Department seized records from Ms. Watkins, a tactic that prosecutors typically avoid due to concerns about freedom of the press. — Byron Tau, WSJ, "Ex-Senate Staffer Accused of Lying to FBI Gets Jail Time," 20 Dec. 2018 And rave to all courageous journalists who risk or give their lives in the name of freedom of speech, free press and democracy. — Seattle Times Readers, The Seattle Times, "Rant & Rave: Time magazine Person of the Year," 12 Dec. 2018 The wording and restrictive nature of this policy appears to align with a number of controversial policies implemented by some schools that seem to overwhelmingly restrict the freedoms of black female students. — Amira Rasool, Allure, "A Black Student’s Elementary School Reportedly Sent Her Home for Wearing Box Braids," 22 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'freedom.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.