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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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

2 of 2

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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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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Try This Instead

For
Try This
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

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 free
Adjective
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2025 For a limited time, orders of any breakfast sandwich, breakfast wrap, egg bites, bakes, lunch sandwiches or pockets will come with a free packet of Truff Original or Jalapeño Lime Hot Sauce. Erin Clements, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
The initial phase of the truce ended in mid-February, after 38 hostages were freed from Gaza and 1,737 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released from Israeli prisons. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025 The program allows the U.S. space agency to pay SpaceX to launch and transport astronauts and cargo to orbit aboard the company's own vehicles, freeing up NASA to focus on its Artemis lunar program and other deep space missions, including future crewed expeditions to Mars. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
  • Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.
    Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Founded in 2002, Film Movement distributes award-winning independent and international films, having released more than 300 feature films from festivals worldwide.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 20 Mar. 2025
  • His right rear wheel got loose and came off, sending him straight to the outside wall.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Wout Faes was generous enough to give Hojlund an extra beat to run the ball into the penalty area unpressured, and United’s No 9 accepted the gift with a shot low and hard across Mads Hermansen into the far corner.
    Carl Anka, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Her passion for theatre is matched by her kind and generous spirit, creating an environment where her peers feel encouraged and supported.
    Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Alcaraz, who lives his best life at Indian Wells, playing golf on his off days and pummeling his opponent, chalked up the slow start and the loss to having fallen into the trap of thinking too much about his opponent rather than focusing on himself.
    Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Stewart’s on-field production left a lot to be desired last year, but his motor doesn’t have an off switch.
    Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The perfumed notes are calibrated and restrained so that the blossoms underpin more familiar flavors like punchy, piney juniper and juicy pomelo peel.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2025
  • And the reopened Frick, with its familiar art back in place and some significant new features added — notably an entire second floor of family rooms repurposed as intimate galleries — feels organic in that way.
    Holland Cotter, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Marple’s team typically begins an organizing session by pulling every single belonging out and categorizing it all.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Murray’s collection of Junos includes back-to-back awards for both album of the year and single of the year for 1980-81.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • What To Watch This Week The economic calendar releases for the week are not of the highest importance.
    Bill Stone, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, a Rasmussen poll released this past Thursday finds 45 percent of likely U.S. voters believe Khalil should be deported.
    Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The two are believed to have walked out of a set of doors that opened during a power outage.
    Hanna Park, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The 28-ounce reservoir opens from the top, rather than unscrewing from the base, for spill-free fill-ups and weekly deep cleans.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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