1
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
the 20th century saw many African countries become free after many years of European rule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in freed
no longer burdened with something unpleasant or painful
after our son arrived home safely, we were grateful to be free from worry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in loose
not bound, confined, or detained by force
all of the animals in the game preserve are free to roam all over its vast area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in gratis
not costing or charging anything
although the museum normally charges admission, on Wednesdays it is free to all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction
make sure the pass is free before you attempt the trip through the mountains this winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation
the lottery winner was very free with his money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in off
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
this computer terminal is free if you need to use it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in familiar
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
she's a little too free with information about her social life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in single
not physically attached to another unit
an arrangement of free columns adds interest to the Greco-Roman sculpture garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to release
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
a global crusade to free Nelson Mandela from a South African prison had emerged
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to open
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
we'll free the river by breaking up the ice jam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to clear
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way
would you mind freeing up the work area so I can work?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to rid
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a phone call would free your parents from worry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to liberate
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
this plan should free us from debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a free press
free access
free speech
a free choice
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 free
Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Forty memberships are available, costing $50 a month and including free tarot card readings.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Having deep conversations will be freeing, as Mercury confides in Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto retrograde from June 27 to June 29.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Adjective
Samsung’s Free Galaxy S25 Gamble Samsung has made a habit of giving away free hardware in recent promotions.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Forty memberships are available, costing $50 a month and including free tarot card readings.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025
Verb
Frey pointed out, for example, that even if Chauvin were to be pardoned by Trump from his 21-year federal sentence, that would not free the former officer for his 22-year state sentence for second- and third-degree murder.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Having deep conversations will be freeing, as Mercury confides in Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto retrograde from June 27 to June 29.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
-
The decision was apparently made without the usual input from independent outside advisers.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
27 May 2025
-
Trump and his team take an expansive view of the president’s powers, which has been met with resistance from federal judges, congressional Democrats, and independent agencies such as the GAO.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Tips for Choosing the Right Outdoor Furniture Cover Size An outdoor furniture cover size that’s too large can cause the cover to come loose from your furniture during storms or windy conditions, while a cover that’s too small won’t fit securely on the furniture.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
-
Entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $4.5 million annual average value, Marchment could shake loose as a result of Dallas opting to make some difficult budgetary choices this summer.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
The cockpit can be fitted with a solar Starlight Bimini providing generous shade.—
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
Similarly, the Department of Justice has pulled back from policing financial crimes, including those involving cryptocurrency, whose kingpins were among Trump’s most generous donors.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
But the Lions scored three times in the top of the third off USD starter Cal Scolari.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2025
-
As the Cubs, winners in seven of their last nine, head into an off day Thursday, here are three takeaways from their second straight series victory.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
The latter star has landed a number of hits throughout the past few years by repurposing melodies and interpolating hooks from older, familiar smashes by other artists, reworking them into something exciting and new for a different audience.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Absence of treatment is not absence of illness, of course, but given how much time Gauguin spent in hospitals, that such a familiar disease would have been missed seems unlikely.—
Susan Tallman,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
For a team usually fizzing with creative attacking ideas, their reliance on a single goalscorer, along with a late addition to the team and an unusually clinical finisher from the edge of the box, is not the spread of goal-scoring responsibility we are used to seeing.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
But seeing that ship in space today was a hell of a moment for us, so congratulations to every single person who put time, effort, sweat, anything, into that rocket.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
The game was officially released on May 22, 1980 in Japanese arcades before launching in the United States in October 1980, according to the Pac-Man website.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
-
The Devil Wears Prada 2, a sequel to the 2006 film that starred Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, is now set to release May 1.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
The bill, aimed at rectifying inequality in land ownership left over from South Africa's racial apartheid system, opens pathways for the government to seize private land for public use – sometimes without compensation.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
In fact, many members of the crew have been involved in repairing the homes of their protagonists; and an all-filmmakers volunteer team has even opened a charitable foundation that raises outside money and brings in materials to rebuild liberated villages.—
Lauren Wissot,
IndieWire,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share