1
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
the 20th century saw many African countries become free after many years of European rule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in freed
no longer burdened with something unpleasant or painful
after our son arrived home safely, we were grateful to be free from worry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in loose
not bound, confined, or detained by force
all of the animals in the game preserve are free to roam all over its vast area
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in gratis
not costing or charging anything
although the museum normally charges admission, on Wednesdays it is free to all
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5
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction
make sure the pass is free before you attempt the trip through the mountains this winter
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6
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation
the lottery winner was very free with his money
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in off
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
this computer terminal is free if you need to use it
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8
as in familiar
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
she's a little too free with information about her social life
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9
as in single
not physically attached to another unit
an arrangement of free columns adds interest to the Greco-Roman sculpture garden
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1
as in to release
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
a global crusade to free Nelson Mandela from a South African prison had emerged
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2
as in to open
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
we'll free the river by breaking up the ice jam
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3
as in to clear
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way
would you mind freeing up the work area so I can work?
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4
as in to rid
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a phone call would free your parents from worry
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5
as in to liberate
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
this plan should free us from debt
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Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a free press
free access
free speech
a free choice
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of free
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2025
With one week before the start of NFL free agency, Rams coach Sean McVay is resting, if not resting easy, knowing Stafford will be leading his team for a fifth season.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 4 Mar. 2025
The Dolphins’ two options would be releasing him (which wouldn’t free up significant cap space until after June 1) or keeping him but with terms of the contract adjusted to save Miami money and cap space.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Adjective
All three local ski areas are located within the park, are accessible via a free shuttle, and are part of the SkiBig3 family: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2025
With one week before the start of NFL free agency, Rams coach Sean McVay is resting, if not resting easy, knowing Stafford will be leading his team for a fifth season.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
The inmates took over, killing guards and freeing everyone; Trent helped himself to a dead guard’s uniform, radio and weapon (as well as the knife sticking out of his chest), and used it to pose as a law-enforcement official helping manage the chaos as people flocked to Paradise in their cars.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 4 Mar. 2025
The Dolphins’ two options would be releasing him (which wouldn’t free up significant cap space until after June 1) or keeping him but with terms of the contract adjusted to save Miami money and cap space.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
-
Joanne Hsu, surveys of consumers director for the university, said consumers aligned with independent and Democratic parties have more doom and gloom than their Republican counterparts, accounting for the shift down.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2025
-
In their view, independent agencies shouldn't be independent.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
After Blue Ghost lands on the moon, the instruments will operate for more than two weeks to collect data primarily on the moon’s subsurface, such as lunar dust and regolith, the loose rocks and mineral fragments that cover the lunar surface.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball guard Duke Miles suffered a horrific injury while diving for a loose ball during the team’s win over Mississippi State on Saturday.—
Ryan Gaydos,
Fox News,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
With the generous windfall, consider becoming your own boss.—
ESSENCE Lifestyle,
Essence,
5 Mar. 2025
-
At 80, Gaines has eyes that are clear and discerning, his generous and direct demeanor giving away his decades-long experience as an educator.—
Meka Boyle,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Because the baseball season is long, every off day — both in spring training and in the regular season — is cherished as a time to spend time away from the constant grind of the season.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The companies are also planning another event in December for athletes in leagues that are in their off seasons at the time, like the WNBA, NWSL, and MLB.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Decisions made on who to sign or not sign will impact every team’s strategy ahead of the April 24-26 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wis. Throughout March and April, colleges will host pro days, an opportunity for prospects to showcase their skills in a familiar setting.—
RJ Kraft,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
-
With such an innovative and winning way through such familiar fare for her final full-length recording, Flack truly set us up to miss her all the more.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
One option for the single family homes will start in the high $300,000s and another will start in the low $400,000s.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Mar. 2025
-
If this were to happen in reality, the very first thing is that every single government, every single big business would invent an alternative.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In 2023, Jaar released Intiha, an abstract collaboration with the composer Ali Sethi, and last year, the Chilean-American producer released Piedras 1 & 2, two ambitious LPs tackling Chilean history and Palestinian erasure.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrive on a bus at the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The tool can be accessed by opening this link in Chrome.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Moffet opened Stagioni in 2014 in the historic villa.—
Olivia Lee,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.
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