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
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
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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
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
Sun Sentinel Florida Legislature approves repeal of ‘free kill’ malpractice law
A Florida bill that would repeal a controversial law limiting medical-malpractice lawsuits is now ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2025
Maya Silver, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Most of the Ukrainians freed in the latest prisoner exchange are young people born after 2000, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Friday.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Adjective
Risk of resurgence For decades, the US and Central America have mostly been free of screwworms, a fact that is estimated to have saved US farmers $900 million every year.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
Sun Sentinel Florida Legislature approves repeal of ‘free kill’ malpractice law
A Florida bill that would repeal a controversial law limiting medical-malpractice lawsuits is now ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2025
Verb
Within a few hours, the final body has been freed from its icy tomb and wrapped and laid next to the others, waiting its turn to be loaded into the helicopter.
—Maya Silver, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Most of the Ukrainians freed in the latest prisoner exchange are young people born after 2000, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Friday.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
-
The question of who controls a small independent media outlet has roiled Los Angeles’ left for more than a year.—
Matt Hamilton,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
-
Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
So, to shed light on this process, Li Hsia Yeo, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, led a lab experiment observing the effects of simulated solar wind on two samples of loose regolith brought to Earth by the Apollo 17 mission.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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With an upright growth habit and loose, open canopy, oleander makes a graceful evergreen hedge in USDA zones 8-10.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The generous battery keeps podcasts alive for a full travel day, and a ten‑minute quick top‑up grants four extra hours before boarding.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
-
At the end of every season, Jim had given generous gifts to the cast and crew.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Except the Giants did it without an off day, on both sides of the country, and against contending teams.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
That was enough for the Cavaliers to overcome an off day from All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who totaled just 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field and 3-of-8 shooting on threes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Kaye’s version, if the full title isn’t clear enough, has a familiar outline: First-gen immigrants become parents in the West, hoping their sacrifices will be rewarded with a doctor or lawyer child; child goes another way; conflict ensues.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
-
In so doing, Francis' steps did not always follow familiar paths.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Each plane has four single suites and four side-by-side suites, two of each at the front of each business class cabin.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
And over the weekend, Coincident became the first player to defeat every enemy and complete the map in a single segment during a livestreamed marathon run that clocked in at just over six hours.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
No other information about the incident was released.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2025
-
August reservations will be released on July 1 and so on.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The import taxes prompted manufacturers to open new factories in countries like Mexico, Vietnam and Thailand.—
Pablo Robles,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Why the Chargers drafted him: A versatile receiver who was tied for the sixth-fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, Lambert-Smith would be another option to help open the Chargers’ vertical passing game.—
Thuc Nhi Nguyen,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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