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
Here’s what to know: When is DUI, driver’s license checkpoint in Sacramento area? Sarah Linn july 18, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025 More than a year after Skydance Media and its partners clinched a deal with Shari Redstone and Paramount Global to merge the companies, the FCC has yet to act on an application to approve the transfer of CBS licenses to the new ownership. Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 July 2025
Verb
After building these profiles, brokers sell or license them to anyone who will pay. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025 In the end, Gavidia used his Real ID drivers license to prove citizenship, after being unable to recall the name of the hospital. Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for license
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • Still, many members of the church don’t want to stop attending Mass even if leaders give them permission.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • Castillo denies that anyone in the department would give approval for the locks to be removed, and the man can’t name the individual who gave him permission, according to Castillo.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said more Russian delegations would visit North Korea later in the year, TASS reported.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
  • Often tipped off on where delegations are staying, journalists frequently stake out hotels, hoping for unguarded comments as ministers make their way to the conference.
    Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Medicare Advantage plan members can face prior authorization for many services, whereas Original Medicare has considerably fewer situations requiring approval.
    Diane Omdahl, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • In January, the US Food and Drug Administration gave marketing authorization to certain nicotine pouches for the first time, allowing sales of 10 flavors of popular brand Zyn to help adult smokers quit or cut back on their tobacco use.
    Jeffrey Kopp, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • This enables the high-magnitude flow of campaign donations toward pollution-friendly actions in Tallahassee.
    Mel Martin, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
  • That enabled Lunn to return to the mayor’s office again in 1915.
    Time, Time, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • This company can assume the risk of non-payment and delays in exchange for a commission.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • The issue of agency commission has reared its head many times in private over the past few years, the source added.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • In 18th-century slave-holding Brazil, Anna Borges fought for her freedom.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 July 2025
  • The club have given me this bit of freedom to make a decision.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Fishing is permitted anywhere on the lake, and popular spots to try to catch something (while not on a boat) include Bear Lake State Park Marina and Cisco Beach on the Utah side of the lake.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
  • In a LinkedIn post, Farley called for speeding up permitting processes, increasing spending on vocational training, leveraging robotics and augmented reality to help with these spaces and suggested an AmeriCorps-type program for these roles.
    Breana Noble, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • In addition to achieving top-level status with two different promotions, Naomi also became the first Black woman to win the Money in the Bank match and to successfully cash in the briefcase.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • All plans include an installation fee of $79.95 to $99.95; however, promotions offering free installation are frequently available.
    Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 11 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on license

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!