FREEDOM Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'freedom' different from other nouns like it?

The words liberty and license are common synonyms of freedom . While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated. // freedom of the press

Q: When could 'liberty' be used to replace 'freedom'?

In some situations, the words liberty and freedom are roughly equivalent. However, liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion. // the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

Q: In what contexts can 'license' take the place of 'freedom'?

While in some cases nearly identical to freedom , license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom. // freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

freedom

noun

ˈfrē-dəm

Definition of freedom

as in independence

the state of being free from the control or power of another we owe our freedom to the untold numbers of soldiers who have fought in our nation's wars since its founding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in latitude

the right to act or move freely as special guests of the owners, the youngsters had full freedom of the resort and its private beach

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word freedom different from other nouns like it?

The words liberty and license are common synonyms of freedom. While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated.

freedom of the press

When could liberty be used to replace freedom?

In some situations, the words liberty and freedom are roughly equivalent. However, liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

In what contexts can license take the place of freedom?

While in some cases nearly identical to freedom, license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom.

freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

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 freedom Of course, Sandoval is used to having the freedom to push forward. — Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026 That will mean speaking of religious freedom not as part of a long menu of human rights but as something that advances America’s traditions and security needs. — Matthew Schmitz, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026 Dedicated sets of muscles and cartilage power each individual ray, giving every single segment full 360-degree rotational freedom. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026 Throughout its history, the Supreme Court has considered less than a dozen cases that address, even tangentially, how to balance free speech or religious freedom with protections for the LGBTQ community. — Mark Satta, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for freedom

Recent Examples of Synonyms for freedom

Noun

Beyond the theatrical and streaming markets, the merger brings CBS News and CNN under the direction of a board that will ensure the editorial independence of each news outlet.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026
Support for Quebec independence remains at about 30%, low by historical standards, according to Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University.

— Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of independence

Noun

The weather determines everything in these southerly latitudes of Patagonia.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The woman's attorneys argued that the decision wrongly gives school officials wide latitude to squelch political speech based on their personal ideas of what is vulgar.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of latitude

Noun

Although Koerte believes Europe needs to develop greater AI capabilities, complete sovereignty remains a pipe dream.

— Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Rees-Mogg defended Britain’s decision to enter the war, arguing that the country’s victory over Nazi Germany preserved its sovereignty and prevented Hitler from continuing to expand across Europe.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of sovereignty

Noun

For example, the person cannot change residence or travel to another municipality or province without authorization and must appear before the court when summoned.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
But threat detection should sit alongside runtime authorization rather than replace it.

— Shashwat Sehgal, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of authorization

Noun

Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.

— Barton Swaim, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2021
His seemingly daily attacks on freedom of speech, the independency of the judiciary, the right to vote and other pillars of our constitutional system are bolstered by an intensely loyal fan base.

— Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2020

Definition of independency

Noun

Heading into the midterm elections, AI now ranks as a key issue in races that will help decide control of both chambers of Congress.

— Jeff Masonand Michael Shepard Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Precise attitude control keeps those instruments pointed at their targets as the satellites race around Earth.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

Sessions, in a letter seeking leniency that was read into the record by his chief of staff, said his former congressional colleague devoted decades to public service, much of it focused on defending liberty and democracy.

— Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Tight, familial church communities, huddled in isolated villages and small towns; people held in place; a striking lack of privacy and liberty.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of liberty

Noun

Just ask the Taliban, now back in charge in Afghanistan after being driven from power.

— Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
That’s not to mention what could be a massively consequential midterm election, fueled by AI anxiety among voters, that could test the bounds of their power.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

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freedmen

freedom

freedoms

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“Freedom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freedom. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of freedom

noun

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