freethinker

1 of 3

noun (1)

free·​think·​er ˈfrē-ˈthiŋ-kər 

: a person who thinks freely or independently : one who forms opinions on the basis of reason independently of authority

especially : one who rejects or is skeptical of religious dogma

freethinking

ˈfrē-ˈthiŋ-kiŋ 

noun or adjective

freethinking

2 of 3

noun (2)

: the beliefs of a freethinker

seduced by the intellectual charms of utopian socialism and atheistic freethinking

—G. L. Kline

freethinking

3 of 3

adjective

"

: holding the beliefs or engaging in the reasoning of a freethinker

discoveries made and offered to a freethinking democracy are the basis of tomorrow's decisions

—A. A. Berle

reared in liberal and freethinking circles

—American Guide Series: Tennessee

under both church and freethinking auspices

—Oscar Handlin

Examples of freethinker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These, um, freethinkers were unintentionally encouraged by the airport’s art. — Charlie Sosnick, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2025

My mom, like many freethinkers of her generation, butted heads against anything that reinforced the status quo, and let us children grow like wild weeds into our own individuals. — Morgan Lockhart, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025

This is the language of a company man, not a freethinker. — Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025

Known as an intellectual society, the freethinkers advocated for equal rights, the abolition of slavery, and rejected secession. — Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

free entry 1 + thinking, noun

Adjective

free entry 3 + thinking, adjective

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for freethinker

• clinker
• drinker
• linker
• pinker
• sinker
• thinker
• tinker