Synonyms of free
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 liberated
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 costless
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
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Create a free account or log in to continue reading.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
Mamdani and others on the far left place more emphasis on governmental involvement while center-right and center-left voices argue that the private sector should be freed to build more.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Adjective
Charania also reported that the Nuggets are signing guard Bruce Brown in free agency.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Create a free account or log in to continue reading.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Verb
This frees up Trump’s immigration, spending and anti-transsexual policies.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
Mamdani and others on the far left place more emphasis on governmental involvement while center-right and center-left voices argue that the private sector should be freed to build more.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
-
Cuomo is considering running in the general election on an independent ballot line.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
-
It was again considered in 2008 and then, in 2014, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) — a group of independent experts that advises the WHO — took it up.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Her actions and leadership inspired even in the immediate aftermath of the raid, when 150 of the liberated men enlisted in the Second South Carolina Volunteers, committing to continuing the fight against slavery and the Confederacy.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 June 2025
-
This was followed by a ground operation, which lasted for five days, concluding on Feb. 28, with Kuwait liberated and Iraqi forces expelled.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
The left-hander began the ninth with a groundout, but after Ketel Marte homered and Geraldo Perdomo drew a nine-pitch walk, Spencer Bivens and Erik Miller began to get loose.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 July 2025
-
Kershaw took a few warm up throws while Hernández got loose as Muncy’s replacement, but one wondered if the additional delay would adversely affect the 37-year old hurler.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
The weekend changes to the bill were blasted by renewables trade groups, who had been pushing lawmakers for a more generous tax credit phaseout timeline for wind and solar projects.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
30 June 2025
-
As much as people talk about the U.S. and other countries becoming ever more individualistic, generations of American kin are arguably growing closer on average, researchers told me, and becoming more generous with one another.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
No team could use an off day than the New York Mets.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Entering play Thursday, an off day for the Yankees, the reigning American League MVP had the highest average (.361), OPS (1.180), fWAR (6.1) and wRC+ (221) in baseball.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Managers saw themselves as solving the equivalent of familiar jigsaw puzzles.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
-
The whole first half of the season saw Hamilton struggle to adapt to the Italian race car, and Silverstone was another chapter in a familiar story.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
And under the branches of a large tree, 10 dining table chairs are arranged in a single line.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
-
This ends a nine-week stretch in which there wasn’t a single soundtrack in the top half of Billboard’s flagship albums chart.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Just last month, Stray Kids released its new EP, Hollow, but the project didn’t make much of a commercial impact in the United States.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
An independent inquiry into Wallace’s conduct on MasterChef will be published imminently, while next week, the BBC is expected to release an internal review into the failings that led to documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, being narrated by the child of a Hamas minister.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share