as in freed
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
authorities eventually unfettered the menagerie of wild animals that had been kept illegally as pets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in unleashed
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 unfettered
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
In recent years, aided by his son, Sam (CEO of Dropout), the 79-year-old has developed an impressive social media following, warning of the perils of an unfettered oligarchy and rampant inequality.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025
For now, there are so many unanswered questions to ponder, questions that few have ventured to honestly and thoroughly answer because there is both too much unknown and for the most part the industry is totally unfettered.
—Anand Rao, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2025
For six years, Kanye West gave an aspiring director from Orange County unfettered access to his life, breakdowns and inner circle.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfettered
Verb
The cat community appears divided on the topic of allowing felines unfettered outdoor access.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
In recent years, aided by his son, Sam (CEO of Dropout), the 79-year-old has developed an impressive social media following, warning of the perils of an unfettered oligarchy and rampant inequality.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025
For now, there are so many unanswered questions to ponder, questions that few have ventured to honestly and thoroughly answer because there is both too much unknown and for the most part the industry is totally unfettered.
—Anand Rao, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2025
For six years, Kanye West gave an aspiring director from Orange County unfettered access to his life, breakdowns and inner circle.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfettered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfettered
Verb
-
Jones remained on Ohio's death row for decades, exhausting most of his appeals, until Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Wende Cross overturned his murder conviction, freed him from prison and granted him a new trial two years ago.—
Dan Horn,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Though most had been freed, Heraty and another employee remained in captivity not far from where the operation was taking place.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As reporters work to cover the story, the Miami Herald is interested in hearing from people in South Florida who’ve dealt with unleashed dogs in their communities.—
Miami Herald staff,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
-
That incident unleashed rioting and looting, with the homes of political leaders—including that of the finance minister—attacked and government offices burned.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Others – like Boris – are liberated by it.—
David Lyman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Ozon diverges from the text in a few key places to offer a postcolonial reading of a novel that was published two decades before Algeria liberated itself from French rule.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
There are also plot holes that could sink a truck, like Miller going on a rampage as an escaped prisoner with — apparently — not a single cop on his tail.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Because no natural organism has evolved to compete with or prey upon mirror life, the escaped bacterium multiplies exponentially without any biological constraints.—
LIYAM CHITAYAT,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Many of the episodes released so far have addressed Chase's sobriety struggles, as well as Harvey's favoritism of him over his other grandchildren.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Then, the Oversight Committee later released 33,000 files on Epstein, just hours after the discharge petition opened.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Indeed, just 10 days after being rescued, Maple had a surprise in store.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Just over 1,500 children have been rescued from Russia, with almost half of those facilitated by Save Ukraine, a charity dedicated to the return of Russian children who helped Katya get back to Ukrainian territory after her weekslong ordeal in the military camp.—
Guy Davies,
ABC News,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On court, Annie and Helen spray their shots with unrestrained ferocity, aiming not for the baselines but for each other’s torsos.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
-
How the inextricable combinations of lyrical narratives and distortion-addled arrangements served as salient commentaries on authoritarian power and artificial intelligence, as well as science denialism, knee-bending capitulation and unrestrained wealth.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Another unconfined delegation that should be subject to judicial scrutiny is provided by the Civil Rights Restoration Act, passed by the Democrats over President Ronald Reagan’s veto, which established the government’s power to arbitrarily withhold funding from universities.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
1 June 2025
-
This accounted for just 3 percent of heating fires overall, but these led to more than 40 percent of fatalities, in part because portable heaters tend to be placed precisely where people live and sleep, and because the resulting fires are far more likely to be unconfined.—
Matthew Korfhage,
WIRED,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfettered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfettered. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share