license 1 of 2

variants or licence
Definition of licensenext

license

2 of 2

verb

variants also licence

Synonym Chooser

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

The words freedom and liberty are common synonyms of license. While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom.

freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

Where would freedom be a reasonable alternative to license?

Although the words freedom and license have much in common, 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 liberty instead of license?

The synonyms liberty and license are sometimes interchangeable, but liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

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 license
Noun
Because the voter registration form asks for the driver’s license first, many voters only provide that, even though other forms of ID are accepted. Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026 For example, the Tasnim plan described charging tech companies—specifically naming Meta, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft—license fees for cable usage while also claiming that Iran alone has the right to repair and maintain the subsea cables. Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Verb
And on April 22, the company raised a $10 million Series A round, co-led by Will Ventures and RockawayX, to spin Sunny’s underlying technology out as a separate B2B platform called Sentient Studios that will license AI dealers to rival casino operators. Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 The agency’s conservation officers are licensed peace officers and are called on from time to time to serve broader law enforcement and public safety needs in Minnesota. Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for license
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • The vessel had been stranded off its intended final destination, Cape Verde in West Africa, after authorities denied it permission to dock there.
    Patrick Smith, NBC news, 18 May 2026
  • Would doctors have withheld a relatively minor procedure that would prevent imminent death of a young adult with (potentially) a full life ahead because the proxy refused to give permission?
    Adam W. Gaffney, STAT, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • The council manages university accreditation, authorizes programs, and controls academic salaries.
    Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • As a result, he was barred from competition and stripped of his Olympic accreditation, making his case one of the most significant modern examples of how Olympic neutrality rules can restrict athlete expression on the field of play.
    Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • As a result, many analysts want an update on Nvidia's plans to return some of it to investors — perhaps via a dividend boost or a major increase in its share repurchase authorization.
    Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 17 May 2026
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in April initially said the US would not renew the sanctions waiver allowing purchases of some Russian crude before ultimately issuing a new authorization two days later.
    Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • Building Mercury Bank The charter, which Akhund says may be ready for final approval in 2027 as Mercury builds its products and internal controls, will enable the firm to keep more revenue for itself.
    Hugh Son, CNBC, 20 May 2026
  • The new Gen-2 hand, named Flex 2, combines multiple actuation technologies in a hybrid drive system, enabling it to handle objects with different shapes, textures, and levels of fragility more effectively.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • The statement contains a variation of an argument used by Alameda County counsel, who have argued in court that the recording could only have been made with both parties’ consent.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
  • Thou shalt receive consent before making changes to the chat.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Mayor's stance on class-size requirements Mamdani's budget also slows down the timeline for getting classroom sizes down to a state mandate while the city works to hire 1,000 new teachers, costing $122 million.
    Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 14 May 2026
  • The union alleged that the state abandoned bargaining over the issue and plans to unilaterally impose the four-day mandate.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Depending on the season, the high-latitude expeditions might sail beneath the midnight sun or be treated to celestial displays of the Northern Lights.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
  • One of the three Brothers to the Rescue aircraft managed to escape destruction after Cuban MiGs pursued it near the 24th latitude, the maritime boundary commonly used as an operational marker in the Florida Straits.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • Availability and pricing for the Osmo Pocket 4P will be announced through DJI’s official channels and authorized retail partners at a later date.
    Deadline, Deadline, 20 May 2026
  • The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to brief the media.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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