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
  • The access she was given inside the maximum security facility included permission to screen the film for the inmates.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Prince William has also sought the permission of Miss Middleton's father.
    Nicole Briese, People.com, 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
  • Implement Anonymous Surveys Move beyond annual engagement surveys and implement anonymous pulse surveys that enable real-time analysis.
    Kerri Sutey, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Critics say the change would enable the administration to fire government employees for no cause and replace them with Trump loyalists.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Photo by Paul Rubio Afar partners with CreditCards.com and may receive a commission from card issuers.
    Paul Rubio, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025
  • She was charged with kidnapping in commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating a law enforcement officer in the commission of a felony and felony violation of probation.
    Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 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
  • In the past, only non-discounted stays qualified for free dining deals, but next year, guests will be able to couple that benefit with other promotions.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Even before the current wave of promotions, college students had established themselves as AI’s power users.
    Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 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.

More from Merriam-Webster on license

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