free 1 of 2

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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

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as in gratis
not costing or charging anything although the museum normally charges admission, on Wednesdays it is free to all

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as in single
not physically attached to another unit an arrangement of free columns adds interest to the Greco-Roman sculpture garden

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free

2 of 2

verb

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as in to open
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions we'll free the river by breaking up the ice jam

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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?

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For
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a free press
an unrestricted press
an uncensored press
an independent press
an unregulated press
an open press
free access
open access
public access
unlimited access
excellent access
free speech
open speech
uncensored speech
liberated speech
unchecked speech
free space
open space
clear space
eligible space
valid space
unlocked space
a free choice
a personal choice
an unfettered choice
an open choice
a willing choice
an independent choice

Synonym Chooser

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

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
Adjective
The more than 2 million people who attended Lady Gaga’s free concert on Copacabana Beach on May 3, 2025, had no idea of a plot that, if successful, would have turned the event into a tragedy fueled by hate. Arthur Coelho Bezerra, The Conversation, 14 May 2025 Sandisk includes a free download of Acronis True Image backup and migration software with the purchase of the SN8100. PC Magazine, 14 May 2025
Verb
And Israel is threatening to flatten and occupy Gaza if all of the other hostages aren’t freed by the time Trump returns to Washington from his current trip. Philip Elliott, Time, 14 May 2025 That is because of another U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission in 2010, freeing up campaign spending by outside groups. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
  • The blockade has pushed half a million people in Gaza to starvation, according to the latest review by independent experts on famine.
    Aya Batrawy, NPR, 15 May 2025
  • And, independent of her adaptations, Reid and her childhood friend Ashley Rodger wrote a jukebox Chicks musical, Goodbye, Earl, about two friends who team up to kill one’s abusive husband, with the Chicks signed on as executive producers.
    Lucy Feldman, Time, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Aggies battled back in the bottom of the sixth, closing the gap to just one run, but couldn’t overcome the loose, motivated Flames squad.
    Lauren Merola, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • At work, that can be an effective way to share success stories and build a reputation as someone who is not only funny, but generous in sharing what worked.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • The sets are more generous in size so sleeping in these might be akin to swimming in a pool of soft decadence.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 16 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
  • Some of this uncertainty is coming from familiar sources, and some from new developments.
    Amanda Tickel, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Poison ivy is a familiar example, but other dangerous plants include pokeweed, poison hemlock, giant hogweed and stinging nettle.
    Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Fragments of a single tooth unearthed in Seven Rivers, Jamaica, in 1999 are the oldest fossil evidence of a ziphodont crocodyliform (a group that includes sebecids) in the Caribbean.
    Ashley Belanger – May 16, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
  • Even so, Newcastle will go to the capital with no fear and look to secure an unprecedented fourth victory over Arsenal in a single season.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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