license 1 of 2

variants or licence
Definition of licensenext

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

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
Now, the administration is forcing the California Department of Motor Vehicles to cancel the licenses of 13,000 immigrant drivers. The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026 Under the new ordinance, shops that sell tobacco would have to get retail licenses and would be subject to more inspections. Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
Most major sports leagues have licensed their biggest events to national TV networks and streaming services like ESPN and NBCUniversal. Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026 Mayo Clinic reported about 300 technologies were licensed in 2025 plus almost 200 new agreements were signed across biopharma, diagnostics and AI markets. Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for license
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • The counselor narrated part of her client's story with their permission.
    Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Every president since 1950 has launched military operations against foreign governments, without seeking Congress’ permission or a declaration of war.
    Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Please see the Festival website for further information on the accreditation process.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Though Hartford and multiple other police departments have their own academy for incoming officers, Wydra said the accreditation standards are dictated by POST.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • However, simply being in the country without authorization — for example, after overstaying a visa — is generally a civil violation, according to immigration advocates.
    Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Policymakers should build on this progress by strengthening transparency and accountability, increasing oversight of step therapy and prior authorizations, and ensuring clinical decisions remain in the exam room.
    Alex Mejia Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The platforms enable users to bet on serious geopolitical events, including assassinations and wars, which many view as ethically questionable.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • First launched in November, the tool allows users to send requests through popular messaging apps such as Telegram and WhatsApp, enabling the AI agent to perform multiple tasks autonomously.
    Evelyn Cheng,Dylan Butts, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The controversy around Grok’s image generation has led to a trend in which users have requested the chatbot generate bikini images of other users under their posts without their consent.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Tuesday’s agenda places the grant fund on the consent agenda, which is typically used with items that have unanimous support.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • At issue are California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, which were adopted in 2022 and established several requirements for automakers, including the 2035 zero-emission sales mandate.
    Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Ellison bought the anti-woke, pro-Israel Free Press and installed its founder atop CBS News with a mandate to shake up the network.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Apollo missions collectively brought back nearly 400 kilograms of material scooped up from mid- to low latitudes on the lunar near side, while China’s Chang’e 5 and Chang’e 6 robotic missions have returned smaller samples from the moon’s near and far sides, respectively.
    Lee Billings, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Geologists know this because ancient rocks found at low latitudes carry unmistakable traces of glaciers—evidence that ice once existed in regions that are warm today.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In Iraq, drones targeted military bases inside Baghdad International Airport late Tuesday, two security officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The proposal also authorizes the sports authority to appoint an executive director who would serve at the body’s pleasure and receive compensation as approved by the State Finance Council, which consists of the governor and legislative leaders.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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