Synonyms of free

free 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrē 

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

• independent
• autonomous
• sovereign
• separate
• democratic
• liberated
• freestanding
• self-governed
• freed
• self-governing
• released
• self-ruling
• redeemed
• emancipated
• freeborn
• unsupervised
• empowered
• delivered
• manumitted
• republican
• unruled
• enfranchised
• unconquered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• subject
• dependent
• unfree
• nonautonomous
• bound
• captive
• enslaved
• fettered
• conquered
• subdued
• subjugated
• subordinate
• non-self-governing
• inferior
• subservient

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

• liberated
• freed
• released
• quit
• unburdened
• disencumbered
• shut (of)
• delivered
• unhampered
• unimpeded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• handicapped
• hindered
• encumbered
• hobbled

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

• loose
• unbound
• escaped
• at large
• unconfined
• at liberty
• unrestrained
• unfettered
• footloose
• unleashed
• clear
• undone
• unchained
• uncaged
• untied
• unfastened
• disengaged
• unanchored
• uncaught
• unbolted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confined
• bound
• unfree
• restrained
• caught
• imprisoned
• enclosed
• caged
• chained
• bolted
• tied
• fettered
• anchored
• kidnapped
• penned
• leashed
• immured
• manacled
• shackled
• fastened

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

• costless
• complimentary
• optional
• gratis
• on the house
• gratuitous
• voluntary
• nominal
• donated
• unpaid
• discretionary
• bestowed
• honorary
• uncompensated
• given
• freewill
• pro bono

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• paid
• expensive
• high
• costly
• dear

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

• cleared
• open
• clear
• navigable
• unobstructed
• unclosed
• empty
• emptied
• unlocked
• wide
• unstopped
• unclogged
• unoccupied
• exposed
• vacant
• passable
• unfastened
• gaping
• revealed
• unsealed
• enterable
• unlatched
• unbarred
• unfolded
• unbuttoned
• unfurled
• unbolted
• unzipped
• unclenched
• yawning
• unclasped

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stopped
• blocked
• closed
• shut
• uncleared
• stuffed
• clogged
• plugged
• obstructed
• jammed
• impassable
• hindered
• hampered
• constricted
• cramped
• gated
• encumbered
• dammed
• blockaded
• trammeled
• impeded
• interfered (with)
• barricaded

6

as in generous

giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation

the lottery winner was very free with his money

Synonyms & Similar Words

• generous
• charitable
• benevolent
• open
• liberal
• bountiful
• bounteous
• unselfish
• munificent
• handsome
• unstinting
• fulsome
• unsparing
• openhanded
• kind
• compassionate
• bighearted
• freehanded
• freehearted
• lavish
• hospitable
• kindly
• extravagant
• humanitarian
• philanthropic
• profuse
• altruistic
• sympathetic
• magnanimous
• beneficent
• big
• overgenerous
• largehearted
• openhearted
• greathearted
• good-hearted
• samaritan

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cheap
• selfish
• small
• tight
• close
• stingy
• parsimonious
• miserly
• ungenerous
• petty
• penurious
• spare
• uncharitable
• tightfisted
• costive
• mean
• illiberal
• frugal
• thrifty
• sparing
• mingy
• closefisted
• stinting
• desirous
• chary
• avid
• mercenary
• avaricious
• rapacious
• acquisitive
• covetous
• itchy
• grudging
• grasping
• envious
• resentful
• begrudging
• hoggish
• stinting
• coveting

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

• off
• dormant
• unused
• vacant
• idle
• dead
• inactive
• latent
• at rest
• out of commission
• inert
• fallow
• on the shelf
• inoperative
• useless
• suspended
• arrested
• unusable
• slow
• interrupted
• unoccupied
• asleep
• quiescent
• lifeless
• comatose
• unworkable
• moribund
• sleepy
• abeyant
• inoperable
• dull

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• active
• operating
• on
• functioning
• working
• busy
• alive
• operative
• going
• employed
• living
• functional
• operational
• workable
• running
• useful
• operable
• practical
• industrious
• vigorous
• energetic
• viable
• feasible
• usable
• assiduous
• sedulous

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

• familiar
• arrogant
• smug
• proud
• selfish
• important
• forward
• immodest
• confident
• presuming
• overfamiliar
• presumptuous
• bold
• vain
• complacent
• superior
• cheeky
• cavalier
• uppity
• impudent
• sure
• bumptious
• fresh
• sassy
• domineering
• snobbish
• saucy
• high-and-mighty
• egotistic
• vainglorious
• brazen
• egomaniacal
• supercilious
• egoistic
• insolent
• conceited
• overbold
• self-important
• disdainful
• pretentious
• hoity-toity
• self-assertive
• haughty
• high-hat
• cocky
• pompous
• self-complacent
• brassy
• self-satisfied
• impertinent
• prideful
• self-confident
• audacious
• bold-faced
• self-assured
• overweening
• lordly
• pert
• bragging
• highfalutin
• boastful
• brash
• self-conceited
• stuck-up
• self-asserting
• self-interested
• self-centered
• self-absorbed
• high-handed
• brassbound
• braggart
• self-seeking
• self-involved
• imperious
• self-concerned
• self-engrossed
• self-obsessed
• self-infatuated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• unassuming
• meek
• lowly
• unpretentious
• timid
• down-to-earth
• unassertive
• shy
• bashful
• demure
• retiring
• timorous
• mousy
• diffident
• self-doubting

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

• single
• separate
• detached
• discrete
• private
• independent
• unconnected
• unattached
• disconnected
• freestanding
• individual
• self-contained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• joined
• connected
• attached
• linked
• adjoining

free

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to liberate

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

• liberate
• release
• rescue
• save
• loose
• emancipate
• loosen
• turn loose
• discharge
• unfetter
• spring
• enfranchise
• manumit
• enlarge
• unbind
• redeem
• disenthrall
• uncage
• unchain
• ransom
• parole
• bail (out)
• deliver
• extricate
• disengage
• disembarrass
• disencumber
• disentangle
• unshackle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confine
• restrain
• bind
• jail
• fetter
• commit
• shackle
• imprison
• enchain
• handcuff
• incarcerate
• lock (up)
• intern
• enslave
• conquer
• subjugate
• trammel
• subdue
• manacle
• immure

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

• open
• clear
• facilitate
• smooth
• unplug
• unstop
• ease
• unclog
• loosen (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stop
• block
• close
• dam (up)
• interfere (with)
• clog (up)
• plug (up)
• hinder
• hamper
• impede
• obstruct
• encumber
• constrict
• blockade
• trammel
• barricade

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

• open
• clear
• unblock
• facilitate
• smooth
• ease
• loosen (up)
• strip
• unplug
• unchoke
• unstop
• unclog
• unclutter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• block
• stop
• close
• dam
• obstruct
• plug
• clog
• clutter (up)

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

• rid
• relieve
• clear
• liberate
• unburden
• disencumber
• disburden
• divest
• rescue
• loose
• emancipate
• release
• redeem
• discharge
• spring
• unfetter
• loosen
• enfranchise
• manumit
• bail (out)
• uncage
• deliver
• unchain
• extricate
• unbind
• disengage
• disentangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• burden
• saddle
• encumber
• subject
• hamper
• restrain
• weight (down)
• bog (down)
• weigh down
• shackle
• fetter

5

as in to save

to set free from entanglement or difficulty

this plan should free us from debt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• liberate
• save
• redeem
• release
• rescue
• cut loose
• extricate
• disengage
• clear
• disembarrass
• disentangle
• untangle
• deliver
• unburden
• disencumber
• disburden
• untie
• unravel
• unsnarl
• untwine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hinder
• hamper
• block
• impede
• burden
• obstruct
• load
• embroil
• entangle
• weigh
• encumber

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

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

Recent Examples of free

Adjective

Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. —Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026

View Offers Or register for a free account to read just this article. —Mark O’Connell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026

Verb

France appealed to its partners to step up their efforts against international terrorism, which freed up French forces for a major security operation at home. —ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

Project Blowed freed such a big part of me. —Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing free

• break free
• free hand
• free rider
• free spirit
• free verse
• free will
• home free