free market
noun
plural free markets
: an economic system in which prices are based on competition among private businesses and are not controlled or regulated by a government : a market (see market entry 1 sense 4d) operating by free competition
… the free market works best when businesses compete to provide the best services …—
Chris Tomlinson
Chris TomlinsonA free market, technically, requires no government intervention, which is why capitalists usually land on the right of the political spectrum. In America, the government regulates businesses for reasons of social welfare and public safety …, so we don't operate in a truly free market.—Carolyn Twersky
—often hyphenated when used before another nounCarolyn Twerskyfree-market competition
free-market principles
One of the basic premises of the free-market system is that actors are free to buy from or sell to a variety of other actors.—Barry C. Lynn
Barry C. LynnExamples of free market in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While there is plenty of irrational exuberance related to AI, that is the free market’s way of experimenting and learning, which have always given the U.S. economy its edge.
—John Rau, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Defenders of universal voucher programs counter that the goal of American education should be a free market of educational options for families to choose from, unburdened by excessive state regulations and paperwork.
—Eli Hager, ProPublica, 31 Dec. 2024
The Beacon Center — which advocates for free markets and limited government — also represented the plaintiffs in another lawsuit against Metro Nashville last year.
—Austin Hornbostel, The Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2024
This work — defending free markets, online, in print, in podcasts, on video, and in person, all over the country — is critical today.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for free market 
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John Rau, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Defenders of universal voucher programs counter that the goal of American education should be a free market of educational options for families to choose from, unburdened by excessive state regulations and paperwork.
—Eli Hager, ProPublica, 31 Dec. 2024
The Beacon Center — which advocates for free markets and limited government — also represented the plaintiffs in another lawsuit against Metro Nashville last year.
—Austin Hornbostel, The Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2024
This work — defending free markets, online, in print, in podcasts, on video, and in person, all over the country — is critical today.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for free market
Dictionary Entries Near free market
Cite this Entry
“Free market.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20market. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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