FREETHINKERS Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

freethinkers

noun

plural of freethinker

as in weirdos

a person who forms his or her own opinions about important subjects (such as religion and politics) instead of accepting what other people say

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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 freethinkers By the early 1990s, Eugene had earned itself a reputation as a beacon of progressive-minded irreverence, drawing a pungent mix of weirdos, iconoclasts, and freethinkers. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 These, um, freethinkers were unintentionally encouraged by the airport’s art. — Charlie Sosnick, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2025 My mom, like many freethinkers of her generation, butted heads against anything that reinforced the status quo, and let us children grow like wild weeds into our own individuals. — Morgan Lockhart, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025 Doctors volunteered, but so did nurses, store owners, actors, academics, factory workers and freethinkers – even prisoners about to be executed. — Susan E. Lederer, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for freethinkers

Noun

The Kmatz-Shaffer combo appeals to me the most, however, as someone who prefers his bullpen stocked with weirdos and freaky arm angles.

— Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 21 July 2026
By the early 1990s, Eugene had earned itself a reputation as a beacon of progressive-minded irreverence, drawing a pungent mix of weirdos, iconoclasts, and freethinkers.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Definition of weirdos

Noun

O’Hara worked consistently across her 50-year career in both film and television, best known for playing beloved kooks and amiable wackos, though her range was boundless.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
What so many of these talking heads have in common—legitimate experts, well-meaning journalists, and kooks alike—is how costly their recommendations are.

— CBS News, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026

Definition of kooks

Noun

Dippold has populated the show with lovable eccentrics played by great character actors—Dale Dickey, Jeff Hiller, Tim Baltz.

— Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 18 June 2026
Inbred eccentrics and bumbling detectives have populated the seaside villages of Bruno Dumont’s absurdist comedies.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 June 2026

Definition of eccentrics

Noun

The Ramones stood on stage not as rock gods or unattainable heroes, but as oddballs, misfits, and fellow outcasts in torn jeans.

— Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
The Wylkes Society’s members include many of the amiable oddballs Miles has met around town.

— Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026

Definition of oddballs

Noun

The forty-niners are elemental to our identity as a nation of brave, rugged individualists.

— Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Based on actual events, Eden features a starry cast playing a disparate group of rugged individualists who all find themselves in the Galapagos in the early 20th century, each abandoning society in the hopes of creating a utopia.

— Will Leitch, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025

Definition of individualists

Noun

By the early 1990s, Eugene had earned itself a reputation as a beacon of progressive-minded irreverence, drawing a pungent mix of weirdos, iconoclasts, and freethinkers.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Tempo’s ascendence and corporate partnerships are indicative of a larger trend where well-heeled, corporate firms—from Robinhood to Stripe—are making their way into blockchain, traditionally the territory of anti-establishmentarians and iconoclasts.

— Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026

Definition of iconoclasts

Noun

With your liver, preliminary studies show that nuts may have a positive effect on reducing the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 July 2026
Adding beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are great ways to get fiber from whole foods, Mokari said.

— Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Definition of nuts

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“Freethinkers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freethinkers. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of freethinkers

noun

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