Synonym Chooser

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

The words freedom and license are common synonyms of liberty. While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

When could freedom be used to replace liberty?

In some situations, the words freedom and liberty are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is it sensible to use license instead of liberty?

Although the words license and liberty have much in common, 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 liberty These reforms redraw the boundary between state power and individual liberty—reaffirming that agencies serve the people, not the other way around. Jon Riches, Oc Register, 27 June 2025 The Jewish state must issue clear and consistent guidance that supports the Iranian people's struggle for liberty. Felice Friedson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 The Lake County Board of County Commissioners will commemorate the colonial patriots who fought for freedom by dedicating a liberty tree at 9 a.m. June 30 at Lake County Fire Rescue Station 39, 24815 Wallick Road, Sorrento. Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025 But the West Virginians were certainly seceding in favor of the spirit of the Constitution and the aims of the Declaration of Independence: indivisible union and the liberty of its people, even those held as slaves at that moment. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberty
Noun
  • This focus aligns with their desire to generate positive societal and environmental impacts through their investment choices.
    Hemanth Golla, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • His sons’ career choices mirrored their father’s: Louis, the oldest, named after his dad, went into the Navy.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • This enables autonomy while still engaging collaboration and cohesion.
    Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Founded in 2011, the foundation has become one of the largest organizations in the world dedicated to promoting females’ safety and social and economic autonomy, according to Chanel.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Miami's Kyle Stowers could be an option, too, but the asking price for Benintendi (who has a .744 OPS for the year) would be much lower.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • Spectrum and Xfinity offer a range of options for internet speeds.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Mejia envisions a Panamerican awakening—a cross-continental coalition of talent, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship that can compete with China, defend digital sovereignty, and export innovation—not just commodities.
    Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The United States is declining into authoritarianism and threatening Canada’s sovereignty.
    Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The freedom to pass on one’s beliefs to the next generation is a cornerstone of any truly pluralistic society.
    Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
  • The wisdom of one MVP — and the freedom granted by Sparks coach Michael Cooper — helped ignite the greatest rookie season in WNBA history.
    Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Oaktree, which is on the way to amassing one of the largest independent library catalogs in the industry with about 70,000 movies and episodes, will fold its growing media footprint into a new holding company called Radial Entertainment.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • Exciting news in relationships, family, or creative projects are headed your way.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Not everyone is on board with the shift from old-school pyrotechnics, but the companies behind the drone shows promise to deliver all the pomp and circumstance of traditional fireworks shows and more, using awe-inspiring displays that capture the spirit of American independence.
    Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 4 July 2025
  • Foster self-confidence and independence in your child.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • This visit was very important signal for our partners that Kyiv, much more safety right now, and also very important signal that Great Britain stay together with Ukraine, support Ukraine -- support our country in the fight for our freedom, for our independency.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2022
  • Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.
    Barton Swaim, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2021

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Cite this Entry

“Liberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberty. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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