license 1 of 2

variants or licence

license

2 of 2

verb

variants also licence

Synonym Chooser

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

The words freedom and liberty are common synonyms of license. While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom.

freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

Where would freedom be a reasonable alternative to license?

Although the words freedom and license have much in common, 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 is it sensible to use liberty instead of license?

The synonyms liberty and license are sometimes interchangeable, but liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

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 license
Noun
Millions of drivers in North Carolina could see rules around license expirations and renewals change. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 Just don’t forget to get your North Carolina fishing license beforehand. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
The monarchy banned the Muslim Brotherhood a decade ago but officially licensed a splinter group and continued to tolerate the Islamic Action Front while restricting some its activities. Omar Akour, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 Google would also have to license search results to competitors, among other requirements. Jody Godoy, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for license
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • Hunter will wear No. 12 and Ward was given permission to wear No. 1 by legendary Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon.
    Brooks Peck, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • In the face of mounting attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts across corporate America, a new generation of Black millennial founders is refusing to wait for permission to innovate.
    Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Per the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Josh Snyder, the delegation's April 21 letter followed Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' own appeal to the president concerning requests for individual assistance and public assistance.
    Alex Thomas, Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The city is bracing ahead of the arrival of hundreds of high-profile delegations attending the funeral, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who will be flying into Rome late on Friday.
    USA Today, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Camacho and Castle charge that Ground Game LA has continued to profit off their work without authorization, even after blocking their access to the site, and are seeking nearly $5 million in damages.
    Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
  • In April, Border Patrol agents recorded roughly 8,400 apprehensions of migrants who had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization, according to the preliminary Department of Homeland Security statistics, which have not been officially published.
    Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Apple’s AirPlay feature enables iPhones and Macbooks to seamlessly play music or show photos and videos on other Apple devices or third-party speakers and TVs that integrate the protocol.
    Lily Hay Newman, Wired News, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Implement Anonymous Surveys Move beyond annual engagement surveys and implement anonymous pulse surveys that enable real-time analysis.
    Kerri Sutey, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Epic accused Apple of stifling competition for app downloads and overcharging commissions for in-app purchases.
    Mike Scarcella, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Not taking commissions from outside app purchases could reduce Apple’s revenue by hundreds of millions or billions, the company estimated, according to the 80-page ruling.
    Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • In this dark comedy, Bud’s own fictionally fatal mishap may be the thing to give him a second chance at freedom and life.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • The Times of India reported on Tuesday that Modi has given the military the operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of the response to the attack in Kashmir.
    Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the Trump administration has pushed to expand offshore oil drilling and accelerate the permitting process, reducing timelines to just weeks.
    Dan Ruetenik, CBS News, 2 May 2025
  • If permitted to enter the country, students must enroll full time, earn good grades and notify their school within 10 days of substantive changes to their circumstances.
    David L. Di Maria, The Conversation, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • He’s already been called up to the majors twice in his career, including once earlier this season, but didn’t play in any games after those promotions.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
  • The last decade has packed in a promotion near-miss, reaching the Premier League, eight years in the top division spent under four managers while progressing from regulars in the bottom six in the table to the top 10, plus a first taste of UEFA competition.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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