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
Tracy Baxter was the training support specialist at the ATP Flight School when Sam Lilley earned his commercial pilot license and instructor ratings. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 New debut launch then targeted November, but FAA only gave launch license on Dec. 27, same day as the rocket’s first test hot fire on the pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 36. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
While a show like Friends or Seinfeld can snag hundreds of millions of dollars in licensing revenue from a Max or Netflix, most subscription streamers aren’t going to spend much cash striking a deal for the exclusive rights to old episodes of Hell’s Kitchen or some random comedy from the 1980s. Josef Adalian, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025 Tacopina also claimed that Rocky is licensed to carry a firearm in California. Daniela Avila, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for license 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • Harvard-Westlake paid more than $40 million for the land in 2021, then had to go through years of community meetings while getting permits and receiving permission from the city to build.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
  • The big picture: The early days of Trump's second administration — as Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) crew execute a hostile takeover of the federal government's digital infrastructure — are giving Washington a crash course in the importance of system permissions.
    Richard Collings, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The larger delegation this year, Mr. Unguryan said, is in recognition of the importance of Christianity for many supporters of Mr. Trump.
    Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025
  • What began as a small stand from the Dakar Court festival will now spread to a full corner of the room, welcoming a delegation of more than 30 African delegates while reflecting a growing vitality within African film production.
    Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Trump contends that efforts to limit local coordination on immigration shield violent criminals from deportation, although studies have found immigrants living in the country without authorization are not more likely to commit crimes than the general population.
    Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2025
  • All of them were in the country without authorization, having either entered the county illegally or overstayed their visas, the FBI agent wrote.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Immediate emergency interim approval of additional rate is essential to more closely align cost and risk and enable State Farm General to rebuild capital.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
  • This breakthrough functionality enables teams to capture full contact information by scanning virtually anything: conference badges, paper business cards, social media QR codes, other digital business cards and more.
    Partner Content, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The commission will charge the city for all power used by the city, but the city will profit from the exchange.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • She was charged with grand larceny and administering a drug in commission of a felony, per Nevada court records.
    Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The long-time friends are torn between loyalty and survival, with Adamo’s rise, police pressure and gang violence threatening to destroy their bond and chance at freedom.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Last year, the Taliban closed at least 12 media outlets, both public and private, according to RSF, which ranked Afghanistan 178 out of 180 countries in its latest press freedom index.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The commission has found that in the past some accounts have been permitted to lag and the group is of the opinion that all bills should be paid promptly as the plant belongs to the citizens and a profit should be made.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • While drinking is permitted, members are never to become visibly intoxicated.
    Justine Harman, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • What: Dom Dolla and Diplo headline this party alongside brand promotions by CELSIUS, Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi, Verizon, U.S. Polo Assn., St. James Iced Tea.
    Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Minnesota’s approach to charitable gambling has evolved over the years, guided by laws aimed at balancing the regulation of gambling activities with the promotion of charitable causes.
    Janean Sorrell, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near license

Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on license

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