freedom

noun

ˈfrē-dəm How to pronounce freedom (audio)
Definition of freedomnext
1
as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another we owe our freedom to the untold numbers of soldiers who have fought in our nation's wars since its founding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in latitude
the right to act or move freely as special guests of the owners, the youngsters had full freedom of the resort and its private beach

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word freedom different from other nouns like it?

The words liberty and license are common synonyms of freedom. While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," 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 could liberty be used to replace freedom?

In some situations, the words liberty and freedom are roughly equivalent. However, liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

In what contexts can license take the place of freedom?

While in some cases nearly identical to freedom, license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom.

freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

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 freedom My journey to shape-wear freedom was rather perilous. — Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2025 Williams may be on her way to freedom as the results of the capacity test will allegedly be sent to the judge in her guardianship case. — Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 11 Mar. 2025 The protection of democracy and freedom, if Ukraine wants U.S. help, according to Trump, comes at a cost. — Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025 The gathering has become a hub for global Bitcoin leaders, technologists, and entrepreneurs to explore Bitcoin adoption, circular economies, and financial freedom. — Abubakar Nur Khalil, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for freedom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for freedom
  1. autonomy
  2. latitude
  3. sovereignty
  4. authorization
  5. independence
  6. control
  7. independency
  8. license
Noun
  • Demand a framework that respects local control and family autonomy, not one dictating lessons from pre-K onward.
    — Justin Kuk, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Yet, on some base levels, there seems to be an industry-wide consensus on the fact that unlike generative AI — which focuses on generating texts, images, videos, and audios at scale — AI agents are designed to take action, making decisions and executing tasks with increasing levels of autonomy.
    — Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of autonomy
Noun
  • The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The yacht is named after Robert Were Fox the Younger, a 19th-century scientist who invented a compass that measured magnetic dip at sea in high latitudes, leading to the discovery of the South Pole.
    — Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of latitude
Noun
  • And at the heart of this loss of freedom is a fundamental misunderstanding—or even a deliberate abandonment—of what sovereignty really means in America.
    — Nisha Whitehead, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
  • After all, Trump is not openly attacking British or French sovereignty.
    — Stephen Collinson, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • In 2022, immigrants working in the United States without legal authorization paid $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes and $6.4 billion in Medicare taxes, according to a recent analysis from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
    — Jane C. Timm, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Their hypothetical rap sheet could begin and end with entering the U.S. illegally, a misdemeanor, or residing in the U.S. without authorization, a civil offense.
    — Nelson Mauricio Rauda Zablah, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of authorization
Noun
  • However, this isn’t the first time Roberts has spoken up to protect judicial independence.
    — Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Financial Disadvantages The finance sector's increasing reliance on AI for credit decisions has created new barriers for women seeking financial independence.
    — Swati Tyagi, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of independence
Noun
  • Boston, which trailed 4-1 in the opening period, tried to generate momentum for a comeback in the second period and enter the third period with control of the game.
    — Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all work.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of control
Noun
  • This visit was very important signal for our partners that Kyiv, much more safety right now, and also very important signal that Great Britain stay together with Ukraine, support Ukraine -- support our country in the fight for our freedom, for our independency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2022
  • Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.
    — Barton Swaim, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2021
Definition of independency
Noun
  • Raskin and McBath claimed that in the three years since the policy was implemented, about 0.3% of the nation's roughly 130,000 federal gun dealers had their licenses revoked.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
  • But Williams also takes an artist’s license to concoct the fantastical answers that are reflected in the paintings, sculptures and installations in this show.
    — Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of license

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Cite this Entry

“Freedom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freedom. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on freedom

Nglish: Translation of freedom for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about freedom

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