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
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Maya Silver, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Most of the Ukrainians freed in the latest prisoner exchange are young people born after 2000, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Friday.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Adjective
The problem for the Ducks is that free agency looks to be a depressed market after Mitch Marner, and that’s if the Toronto Maple Leafs star makes it to July 1.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
Within a few hours, the final body has been freed from its icy tomb and wrapped and laid next to the others, waiting its turn to be loaded into the helicopter.
—Maya Silver, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Most of the Ukrainians freed in the latest prisoner exchange are young people born after 2000, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Friday.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
-
The government argues that simply means that while the task force can consider a request from the Health and Human Services secretary – and even be fired for not complying – they’re supposed to exercise independent judgment.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Our coverage is independent and objective, and has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities.—
Paul Rubio,
AFAR Media,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Iconic examples abound, from Yves Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking to Armani’s loose takes that made trousers for women permissible evening attire.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2025
-
In these, the enemy is not a standing army but various terrorist organizations and looser categories of hostiles, enmeshed in large civilian populations.—
Colin Jones,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
At the end of every season, Jim had given generous gifts to the cast and crew.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The generous battery keeps podcasts alive for a full travel day, and a ten‑minute quick top‑up grants four extra hours before boarding.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Last-minute fixes were still being made, and some Cubs players trickled into the clubhouse to put stuff in their lockers or work out on their off day.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 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,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Kaye’s version, if the full title isn’t clear enough, has a familiar outline: First-gen immigrants become parents in the West, hoping their sacrifices will be rewarded with a doctor or lawyer child; child goes another way; conflict ensues.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
-
In so doing, Francis' steps did not always follow familiar paths.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Each plane has four single suites and four side-by-side suites, two of each at the front of each business class cabin.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
And over the weekend, Coincident became the first player to defeat every enemy and complete the map in a single segment during a livestreamed marathon run that clocked in at just over six hours.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Electoral authorities reported voter participation of more than 80% and planned to release initial results within two hours.—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
With McCaffrey sharing carries with Stewart as a rookie, the Panthers made the playoffs in 2017 before releasing Stewart a couple of months later.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Patterson is set to enter the transfer portal when the second cycle opens on Wednesday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The evolution of Electric Park The original Electric Park opened north of the Heim Brewery at Montgall and Nicholson avenues in the East Bottoms.—
Jeremy Drouin,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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