FREEDOM Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'freedom' different from other nouns like it?

The words liberty and license are common synonyms of freedom . While all three words 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

Q: When could 'liberty' be used to replace 'freedom'?

In some situations, the words liberty and freedom are roughly equivalent. However, liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion. // the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

Q: In what contexts can 'license' take the place of 'freedom'?

While in some cases nearly identical to freedom , license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom. // freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

freedom

noun

ˈfrē-dəm

Definition of freedom

as in independence

the state of being free from the control or power of another we owe our freedom to the untold numbers of soldiers who have fought in our nation's wars since its founding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in latitude

the right to act or move freely as special guests of the owners, the youngsters had full freedom of the resort and its private beach

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word freedom different from other nouns like it?

The words liberty and license are common synonyms of freedom. While all three words 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

When could liberty be used to replace freedom?

In some situations, the words liberty and freedom are roughly equivalent. However, liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

In what contexts can license take the place of freedom?

While in some cases nearly identical to freedom, license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom.

freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of freedom Trading stocks with insider knowledge steals economic freedom and opportunity from the rest of us. — Michael Carbonara, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026 And there is no setting more emblematic of freedom—and its discontents—than the campus, where tenure is supposed to protect the intellectual liberty of faculty and students living independently for the first time try on new ideas and identities. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026 The waivers allowed the transit of Iranian oil in exchange for nuclear inspections and freedom of movement for commercial ships traveling through the strait. — Sophia Mandt, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026 The freedom to choose your work hours has been a game changer for many white-collar workers. — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for freedom

Recent Examples of Synonyms for freedom

Noun

During the Tuesday hearing, Warsh was also repeatedly asked about Fed independence and his ability to silo the unique federal agency from influence from the White House.

— Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2026
To put it bluntly, originalism itself might not have survived the disaster of abolishing Fed independence.

— Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Definition of independence

Noun

That could again bring aurora to northerly latitudes, although the timing and strength of any CME impact remain uncertain.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
At my latitude, the northern horizon glows all evening in early-to-mid July like somebody forgot to turn the sun off completely.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of latitude

Noun

By using Beyon’s local data center infrastructure, its customers will be able to access Oracle’s cloud services without any data leaving the country and maintaining data sovereignty.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 July 2026
The State Department has launched a campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court over what Secretary of State Marco Rubio called a threat to American sovereignty.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 14 July 2026

Definition of sovereignty

Noun

The application for the federal authorization was filed by the Fenner Gap Mutual Water Co.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
After other State Department officials clarified that position, Dutch authorities withdrew the authorization while Machado’s aircraft was already in flight, forcing it to return.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026

Definition of authorization

Noun

Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.

— Barton Swaim, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2021
His seemingly daily attacks on freedom of speech, the independency of the judiciary, the right to vote and other pillars of our constitutional system are bolstered by an intensely loyal fan base.

— Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2020

Definition of independency

Noun

Iran insists on retaining control over shipping through the waterway and says vessels should instead use routes through its own territorial waters.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of control

Noun

The Declaration champions the right to alter or abolish government destructive of life, liberty, and happiness.

— Brian DeLay, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
During a weekend that celebrates life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Wimbledon offers an American variation in the pursuit of Grand Slam glory.

— Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of liberty

Noun

Whatever ailed this World Cup, the beautiful game was waiting with its healing powers.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
While there is undeniable star power, and an unerring ability to get the job done, England will have opportunities to make a mark of their own.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of power

Browse Nearby Words

freedmen

freedom

freedoms

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Freedom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freedom. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of freedom

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on freedom

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

bibelot

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes