How does the adjective free contrast with its synonyms?
Some common synonyms of free are autonomous, independent, and sovereign. While all these words mean "not subject to the rule or control of another," free stresses the complete absence of external rule and the full right to make all of one's own decisions.
you're free to do as you like
When is it sensible to use autonomous instead of free?
While the synonyms autonomous and free are close in meaning, autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.
in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous
When would independent be a good substitute for free?
In some situations, the words independent and free are roughly equivalent. However, independent implies a standing alone; applied to a state it implies lack of connection with any other having power to interfere with its citizens, laws, or policies.
the colony's struggle to become independent
When is sovereign a more appropriate choice than free?
The words sovereign and free are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere.
separate and sovereign armed services
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of free
Adjective
Young remains without a contract, free to sign with any team, including a two-way deal with another team.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
18 July 2026 The challenge is to direct that investment in a way that actually promotes the free flow of books.—
Sophia Nguyen,
The Atlantic,
18 July 2026
Verb
There are no Zeus or Poseidon or Ino or Heracles sightings, and the herald Hermes, who has a pretty big role in Homer’s tale — freeing Odysseus from Calypso and giving him a magical herb to shield him from Circe’s spells — is nowhere to be found.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
17 July 2026 The 51-year-old driver was freed from the wreckage and taken to a hospital.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for free
The ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, is staffed by medical professionals who maintain detailed records viewed as generally reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts.
—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 July 2026
The election in the 25th Congressional District, which runs along the Atlantic coast from Delray Beach to Miami Beach, is seen by all major independent congressional election analysts as a toss-up that could go either way.
But this year, rumors suggest the company is doing away with this upgrade option amid the RAM crunch, or at least adding some fine print that would make customers pay for part of the usually gratis level-up.
Not all pads are alike, but a footprint on the larger side involves five to ten acres of cleared, packed ground that serves as the hub for drilling equipment, which can include wellheads, pump jacks, tanks, wastewater storage pits, trailers, and flare stacks.
At the World Cup, there were at least six examples of incorrect or — to be generous — highly dubious interventions that made reasonable on-field decisions worse across the 104 matches.
—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
22 July 2026
In March, at a town hall meeting hosted by the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District, some influential Beach figures sharply questioned whether the zoning benefits would be sufficiently generous to lure developers.
For the dozens of NHL, minor league and college players who make their off-season homes in Minnesota, informal morning skates at various arenas throughout the Twin Cities have been going on for decades.
—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
17 July 2026
In May, the Braves have four off days and just two road trips, one to Philadelphia and Detroit followed by another to Kansas City and to New York to face the Mets.
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