as in free hand
permission to do something in any way you choose to do it
We gave the decorator carte blanche to furnish the house.
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Recent Examples of carte blanche
They are given carte blanche in creating for L’Artisan Parfumeur.
—
Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
World champion Alysa Liu has developed such a good relationship with one of her favorite artists, Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir, that the American essentially has carte blanche to use her music in any programs.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Trump can apparently give himself and his friends carte blanche to commit crimes, while deeming anybody who opposes him a criminal.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Featuring a bedroom, lounge and private dining area, bathroom, library and tea room, JR was given carte blanche on the redesign of the 23-meter (75-foot) long former sleeping car.
—Tom Page, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carte blanche
Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
World champion Alysa Liu has developed such a good relationship with one of her favorite artists, Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir, that the American essentially has carte blanche to use her music in any programs.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Trump can apparently give himself and his friends carte blanche to commit crimes, while deeming anybody who opposes him a criminal.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Featuring a bedroom, lounge and private dining area, bathroom, library and tea room, JR was given carte blanche on the redesign of the 23-meter (75-foot) long former sleeping car.
—Tom Page, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carte blanche
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carte blanche
Noun
-
The direction – which was visibly obeyed – is nothing new for repeat attendees of Welch’s shows, who have endured the agony of a phone-free hand for two minutes.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The 5-foot-7 junior showed slick moves to the basket and a nice shooting touch, aided by the referees’ unwillingness to whistle her for using her free hand to ward off defenders.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Supporters are asking residents to write a blank check and trust that the money will eventually be put to good use.—
James Porter,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Many voters saw it as a blank check for more overspending and rejected it.—
Mark Powell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Carte blanche.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carte%20blanche. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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