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
Oniro Group acquired the brand license for the production and distribution of Jacob & Co. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025 Ken Paxton, the state attorney general, said the eight people were indicted for allegedly practicing medicine without a license under the supervision of midwife Maria Margarita Rojas, his office said in a Wednesday news release. Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Disbarment proceedings start with the state bar where the attorney is licensed. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Since then, more global drugmakers have announced partnerships with Chinese firms—The main form of collaboration is licensing — meaning the foreign partner obtains rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the Chinese drug or technology outside China. CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for license
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • The General Assembly has given Mecklenburg County permission to put a referendum on the ballot to raise the county’s sales tax to fund road, rail and bus projects.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Run with permission of the author, courtesy of Bloomsbury Continuum, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In June, Italian delegations visited the stadium during a Libyan-Italian forum for development and reconstruction.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Starmer was accompanied by a delegation of British film industry heavyweights, including representatives from the British Film Institute, British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios and Civic Studios.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This is the first and only medical device to receive FDA marketing authorization for the local treatment of breast cancer, which is a milestone that could transform how doctors approach early-stage cases.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Local 802 members began voting on a strike authorization yesterday, and the vote ends on Sunday.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Beyond medical uses The team also equipped the robot with a tiny camera, enabling it to inspect hard-to-reach spots inside the jet engine model.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Many of them had easy access to government offices that enabled them to obtain genuine Syrian passports with fake names, according to former employees and regime figures.
    Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Figure’s business centers around putting mortgages on the blockchain, which the company says speeds up the granting and funding of home loans.
    Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The last one standing is rewarded with a financial windfall and the granting of a single wish, any wish.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Talpa Studios also marked a milestone, with its quiz franchise The Floor getting its 30th international commission with new versions for MBC in the MENA region and a first Asian sale to Nippon TV in Japan.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
  • However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the face of that, Keaton’s off- and sometimes on-duty style represented limitless possibilities, and a previously incomprehensible kind of freedom.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Lanthimos also discussed his filmmaking process with actors and giving them the freedom to try different things.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • This structural compatibility facilitates simultaneous quantum operations and permits smooth integration with current optical systems.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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