license 1 of 2

variants or licence

license

2 of 2

verb

variants also licence

Synonym Chooser

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

The words freedom and liberty are common synonyms of license. While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom.

freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

Where would freedom be a reasonable alternative to license?

Although the words freedom and license have much in common, 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 is it sensible to use liberty instead of license?

The synonyms liberty and license are sometimes interchangeable, but liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

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 license
Noun
Currently, Greenland has just two active mines, but licenses for exploitation and exploration have been granted at several other sites. Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025 Marco Rubio, soon-to-be the first Latino Secretary of State, thinks those licenses were a mistake. Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
The company licenses its IP, including the Marvel Comics and Marvel Cinematic Universe characters, to a number of game developers for different games. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Jan. 2025 The teams are set to work with the Contractors State License Board and other agencies to help residents learn about their rights, as well as to confirm that contractors and vendors are licensed. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for license 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • However, given its complexity and the deference courts show to administrative determinations, a speaker wishing to avoid criminal liability threats and the heavy costs of defending against FEC enforcement must ask a governmental agency for prior permission to speak.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Ukraine now has permission to use the American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles against military targets in Russia.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Bass had flown to the West African nation Jan. 4 as part of a Biden Administration delegation to the inauguration of the Ghanaian president.
    Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • This week, Gibson will be part of a small bipartisan delegation of U.S. leaders going to Morocco and Tunisia to engage in cultural and political exchange.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Mexicans remain by far the largest group of people living in the country without authorization, but their share has declined significantly since the 1990s, according to data from the Pew Research Center.
    Allison McCann, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Even seemingly minor involvement in day-to-day operations without proper authorization can have long-term consequences for your future visa applications.
    Muhammed Uzum, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In 2017, rocketing demand enabled the Rwanda Development Board to double the price of their daily gorilla-tracking permit to a hefty $1,500 to generate more revenue for conservation.
    Alexandra Owens, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Hamas probably has to make some concessions to enable enough aid to enter Gaza for reconstruction.
    Iyad Abuheweila, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The 15-member commission wields a broad oversight over development and housing in the Coastal Zone.
    Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Still, both advisers said that the commission has the power to protect Europe’s sovereignty, and to force the platforms to be more transparent.
    Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The petitioners, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, argued that the ruling discriminates against St. Isidore and violates constitutional protections for religious freedom, citing recent Supreme Court precedents like Carson v. Makin.
    Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Read: The GoFundMe fires In moments of tragedy or upheaval, not all Angelenos can take their freedom of mobility for granted, in part because of how Southern California infrastructure has developed over the past century.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, then-President Joe Biden eased American sanctions on Syria, allowing humanitarian groups to operate in the country and permitting energy sales.
    Warren P. Strobel, arkansasonline.com, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Millions of them file tax returns every year, paying for benefits they're not permitted to use.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • If the case does proceed to trial, experts say, a jury could be turned off by the way DraftKings marketed its promotion offer to novice customers.
    Sean Gregory / Boston, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Pricing and promotions will also be a key to success.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near license

Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on license

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