license 1 of 2

variants or licence

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
Millions of drivers in North Carolina could see rules around license expirations and renewals change. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 Just don’t forget to get your North Carolina fishing license beforehand. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
The monarchy banned the Muslim Brotherhood a decade ago but officially licensed a splinter group and continued to tolerate the Islamic Action Front while restricting some its activities. Omar Akour, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 Google would also have to license search results to competitors, among other requirements. Jody Godoy, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for license
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • Prince William has also sought the permission of Miss Middleton's father.
    Nicole Briese, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Now, Attorney General Pam Bondi has rescinded the Garland policy — which was widely considered a win for the protection of the free press — and granted permission to federal investigators to once again pursue communications from journalists during government leak investigations.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Per the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Josh Snyder, the delegation's April 21 letter followed Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' own appeal to the president concerning requests for individual assistance and public assistance.
    Alex Thomas, Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The city is bracing ahead of the arrival of hundreds of high-profile delegations attending the funeral, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who will be flying into Rome late on Friday.
    USA Today, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Universities and the government use the database to track foreign students and students rely on it for their authorization to remain in the country.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Synthetic Food Dyes to Be Phased Out The FDA plans to revoke authorization of two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the next few months.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • On the farm, poor sanitation enabled cows and dairy workers to introduce tuberculosis, typhoid, and other pathogens into milk.
    Made by History, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
  • This enabled them to devise a phase diagram of what happens to the sauce as the conditions change.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Not taking commissions from outside app purchases could reduce Apple’s revenue by hundreds of millions or billions, the company estimated, according to the 80-page ruling.
    Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
  • Epic accused Apple of stifling competition for app downloads and overcharging commissions for in-app purchases.
    Mike Scarcella, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • In this dark comedy, Bud’s own fictionally fatal mishap may be the thing to give him a second chance at freedom and life.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Proponents of educational freedom should reject such fearmongering.
    Gavin Schiffres, National Review, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the Trump administration has pushed to expand offshore oil drilling and accelerate the permitting process, reducing timelines to just weeks.
    Dan Ruetenik, CBS News, 2 May 2025
  • If permitted to enter the country, students must enroll full time, earn good grades and notify their school within 10 days of substantive changes to their circumstances.
    David L. Di Maria, The Conversation, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The last decade has packed in a promotion near-miss, reaching the Premier League, eight years in the top division spent under four managers while progressing from regulars in the bottom six in the table to the top 10, plus a first taste of UEFA competition.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • Alex Hammerstone will return to face Satoshi Kojima with other stars from MLW and Mexico’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre promotion on display.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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