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
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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
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4
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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5
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction
make sure the pass is free before you attempt the trip through the mountains this winter
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6
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation
the lottery winner was very free with his money
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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
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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
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9
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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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
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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
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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?
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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
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5
as in to liberate
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
this plan should free us from debt
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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.
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Recent Examples of free
Luke Broadwater Eric Schmitt Glenn Thrush Abbie Vansickle, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Their children receive a free education as their parents pay no property taxes.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 6 June 2025
The original 28 Days Later (2002) takes place in a world where animal rights activists have freed a group of infected chimpanzees to horrifying results.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Adjective
Economists predicted that the United States would break free of its long-running housing slump in 2025.
—Luke Broadwater Eric Schmitt Glenn Thrush Abbie Vansickle, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Their children receive a free education as their parents pay no property taxes.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
Verb
Experts agree that the new political landscape has freed up states to explore other methods that may have struggled to hold up under a more liberal court.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 6 June 2025
The original 28 Days Later (2002) takes place in a world where animal rights activists have freed a group of infected chimpanzees to horrifying results.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
-
Whether the indictment is solid or not, Abrego García will now have competent legal defense and will be before independent judges.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
8 June 2025
-
The aforementioned eggs were distributed to Walmart, Safeway, chains owned by Kroger and various other independent and chain supermarkets.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Lots of his work, including Succession and some writing on political satires, such as Veep and The Thick of It, draw loose and sometimes close inspiration from current events.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
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
-
Southern Living contributor Rick Bragg says the recipe is actually very simple: squishy white brand, salt and pepper, generous smears of mayo, and slices of juicy tomatoes.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
8 June 2025
-
But in a high-tax country like Norway, where locals already fund generous public services, the idea of taxing tourists has been politically sensitive.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
For those who aren’t seeking beach time, the island also was praised for offering historic sites, golf courses and other off-shore activities.—
Simone Jasper,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
After an off day Thursday, the Arizona Diamondbacks come to GABP for three games.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
2 June 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
-
The cheeseburgers at Mama’s Snack shack are $5.50 for a single and $8.60 for a double.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
-
The Yankees did take a crack at a comeback in the eighth after a bucket of French fries fell on the field, causing a brief delay, as DJ LeMahieu plated two runs with a two-out single up the middle in the eighth.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
An Arizona murderer was sentenced to life plus 10 years in prison on May 27 after killing a second person only 16 days after he was released in 2020, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona.—
Christina Shaw,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2025
-
Generic drugs, which are designed to provide the same therapeutic effects as brand-name ones and are released after their patents expire, account for 90% of all prescriptions in the US.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Over time, that approach opened the company to serious problems, including the notorious 737 MAX crashes.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
-
In late 2023, PS opened a second location at the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).—
Chris Dong,
Robb Report,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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