free 1 of 2

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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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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free

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verb

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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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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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For
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a free press
an unrestricted press
an uncensored press
an independent press
an unregulated press
an open press
free access
open access
public access
unlimited access
excellent access
free speech
open speech
uncensored speech
liberated speech
unchecked speech
free space
open space
clear space
eligible space
valid space
unlocked space
a free choice
a personal choice
an unfettered choice
an open choice
a willing choice
an independent choice

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective free contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of free are autonomous, independent, and sovereign. While all these words mean "not subject to the rule or control of another," free stresses the complete absence of external rule and the full right to make all of one's own decisions.

you're free to do as you like

When is it sensible to use autonomous instead of free?

While the synonyms autonomous and free are close in meaning, autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.

in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

When would independent be a good substitute for free?

In some situations, the words independent and free are roughly equivalent. However, independent implies a standing alone; applied to a state it implies lack of connection with any other having power to interfere with its citizens, laws, or policies.

the colony's struggle to become independent

When is sovereign a more appropriate choice than free?

The words sovereign and free are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere.

separate and sovereign armed services

Examples 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 free
Adjective
The website also offers free sample policies, ranging from doula benefits to bereavement leave covering pregnancy loss. 2. Michelle Travis, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Get unlimited access with a subscription Essential Digital One month free Subscribe Now What's included Unlimited access to statesman.com and our apps. Austin American Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Deals range from free burgers to free t-shirts, penny glasses of bubbly, and 30% off ciders. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 8 Nov. 2024 In his view, the U.S. has many uses for its resources, and allies who are economically capable of defending themselves, or making bigger contributions, should do so, freeing U.S. resources for other challenges. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for free 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
  • Talia Jane, an independent reporter on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared quotes from people who knew Bushnell on her page.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • What is Small Business Saturday? Initially launched by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday (or Shop Small Saturday) encourages consumers to shop at one of the 33 million independent businesses that exist in the U.S.
    Katie Wiseman, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The first practice session was halted barely eight minutes in after a loose concrete frame around a water valve cover hit Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari at high speed.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Character details are under wraps, as with the film’s plot, though the project supposedly takes loose inspiration from the story of professional ping pong player Marty Reisman.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Our library had a generous limit of 150 items per person.
    Courtenay Rudzinski, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Although the deal was revealed just three weeks after execs floated it during an earnings call, the generous timeline for closing it is designed to enable continuity.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Turn a late off week that drew groans early in the season into a force for good, a re-set, and a launching pad into the final four games.
    Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2024
  • Part of the balloon broke off in the collision, injuring a 10-year-old girl and an off-duty police officer in the crowd.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The tri-band Eero Pro 6E (7/10, WIRED Recommends) mesh adds the 6-GHz band to the familiar 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands.
    Simon Hill, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Being the underdog is a familiar role in Tempe, and this team is no different.
    Matthew Self, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Investigators found evidence that multiple staff members will spray a single child, causing the child to become physically sick and immobilized.
    Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Quantity varies from a single tutorial to the 40 projects included in our best value suggestion.
    Bob Beacham, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • More optimism was reflected in the Conference Board’s survey released on Tuesday, which showed a record 56.4% of consumers expect stock prices to increase over the next year.
    Lewis Krauskopf, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024
  • Branch just released the Ergonomic Chair Pro, which supposedly improves on the original in several ways.
    Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The fire department opened an arson investigation, which determined the fire was intentionally set.
    Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 28 Nov. 2024
  • Dorothy Dunn, who had studied several Native cultures, opened the first studio school at the Santa Fe Indian School in 1932.
    Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near free

Cite this Entry

“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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