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

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
And the companies must also discuss the license and any payment for writers with the guild. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026 Under certain conditions, some of those licenses could be used for historical horse racing machines, according to Maryland Matters. Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Those fees vary depending on whether the vendor licensed the patent directly from the licensor or through a third party. ArsTechnica, 20 Apr. 2026 If approved, the Onion would pay $81,000 monthly to license the name and IP for six months, with an option to renew for another six-month period. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for license
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • Some travelers have even tucked it under the headrest of the seat in front of them (with the passenger’s permission).
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Reprinted by permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd.
    New York Times, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The organization’s accreditation ensures any item bearing their label is made of 100 percent pure Egyptian cotton.
    Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Robert Shireman, a former Obama-era Education Department official who now serves on a federal accreditation advisory committee, questioned how such a standard could be applied.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The company representative said all that's necessary to start hauling for them is federal authorization, which requires proof of minimal insurance and paying a $300 fee online.
    Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
  • The House held a rare overnight voting session in hopes of advancing legislation extending foreign surveillance authorizations.
    Adam Beam, AJC.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In March, Nvidia talked up forthcoming silicon that can enable models to rapidly respond to users' questions, thanks to technology obtained in its $20 billion deal with chip startup Groq.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The mill’s Bio Indigo technologies enable approximately 40 percent lower water consumption and 50 percent lower heat usage, while maintaining the depth and richness expected from classic indigo.
    Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This is another example of the city voting to spend taxpayers’ dollars without their consent.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The glasses are already used to record people without their consent.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • McGuire said his biggest concern isn’t leadership mandates or AI-native new hires.
    Kennedy French, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
  • When the owners of Woodmark Apartments in Sebastopol constructed it, the owners accepted money from the USDA with a mandate that it be used for farmworker housing.
    John Ramos, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • While the open-air stadium in Miami will use Bermudagrass, the domed stadium in Houston, despite being at a similar latitude, will use the Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass mix.
    Ryan Bearss, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers are still willing to give him plenty of latitude to decide.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The victory was significant enough that the mayor authorized Ellman to present the show's host with a key to the city of Thornton.
    Anna Alejo, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The Illinois moves come as Indiana lawmakers earlier this year authorized the building of a new stadium in Hammond to try to attract the Bears to play their home games across the border.
    Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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