freewheeling

adjective

free·wheel·ing | \ ˌfrē-ˈhwē-liŋ

, -ˈwē-\

Definition of freewheeling

: free and loose in form or manner: such as

a : heedless of social norms or niceties the raider style of his freewheeling father— Garry Wills

b : not repressed or restrained freewheeling promiscuity a freewheeling competitive spirit

c : not bound by formal rules, procedures, or guidelines a freewheeling investigation

d : loose and undisciplined : not defensive a freewheeling style of hockey

Other Words from freewheeling Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about freewheeling

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Synonyms & Antonyms for freewheeling

Synonyms

footloose

Antonyms

tied

Examples of freewheeling in a Sentence

She led a freewheeling life in the city. James Bond has long been the model of the freewheeling hero who encounters danger and excitement in every corner of the globe.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the success of Gucci and its ilk, design today isn’t entirely freewheeling, and this is perhaps where the Recession’s effects are seen most clearly. — Eliza Brooke, Vox, "How the Great Recession influenced a decade of design," 27 Dec. 2018 At freewheeling town-hall meetings, O’Rourke espouses gun control, single-payer health care, and other progressive positions, sprinkling his speeches with folksy anecdotes and occasional profanity. — Andrew Rice, Daily Intelligencer, "Can a Democrat Ever Win in Texas?," 10 July 2018 These days, the mood at ConsenSys is bleak; it’s clear the freewheeling days of expensing $14,000 in two weeks or buying day-of Emirates business-class tickets are over, says a source. — Bijan Stephen, The Verge, "ConsenSys plans to spin out most of its startups, and it’s going to mean layoffs," 20 Dec. 2018 That might make Washington more skeptical of the freewheeling, unscripted headline grabbing reality-show style television spectaculars that Trump seems to relish -- but have now twice been proven not to shape policy. — Stephen Collinson, CNN, "Trump not so tough on guns," 12 Mar. 2018 For 50 years Hong Kong could keep its independent courts, its free-market economy and its freewheeling press, while Beijing was responsible for matters of state like national defense and foreign relations. — Austin Ramzy, New York Times, "Hong Kong Gives Mainland Police Sway in New Train Station," 15 June 2018 The freewheeling low-stakes website for throwing bad jokes into the abyss has transformed into an enormous public forum inhabited by just about everyone who's anyone, plus a legion of the worst people on the planet. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "How to Delete All Your Tweets," 2 Aug. 2018 Crowds by the hundreds flock to each ISC lawn performance at Griffith Park’s Old Zoo site to delight in freewheeling antics, charming improv and engaging musical interludes combined with a rigorously literate handling of the text. — Philip Brandes, latimes.com, "The 99 Seat Beat: 'Big Fish' at the Chance in Anaheim, free Shakespeare in Griffith Park," 6 July 2018 Behind him, forward Antoine Griezmann plays a more freewheeling attacking role, often running from deep. — John Leicester, chicagotribune.com, "Five reasons why France will win the World Cup final," 14 July 2018

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