free 1 of 2

1
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
4
as in gratis
not costing or charging anything although the museum normally charges admission, on Wednesdays it is free to all

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
6
7
8
9
as in single
not physically attached to another unit an arrangement of free columns adds interest to the Greco-Roman sculpture garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

free

2 of 2

verb

1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5

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

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
  • Operating in loose cooperation with Lebanese insurgents, these militias wreaked havoc on Israeli forces and their collaborators.
    Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
  • Interviews and discussions ran longer and looser, and since the set itself was so quiet, these talky segments emphasized the unsettling absence of background noise.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • 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
  • Our library had a generous limit of 150 items per person.
    Courtenay Rudzinski, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The biggest problem with the bullpen approach is that the more pitchers a team uses in a game, the chances multiply of at least one of them having an off night.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2024
  • The key to success is to switch your attention from keyword optimization to offering genuine value through interactive features, user-centric content and effective off-page methods.
    Adhip Ray, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • These techniques should be familiar to Photoshop users.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
  • The setup and relationship dynamics are familiar, but what sets this story apart is that Ranma is a boy whose body turns into a girl’s when doused with cold water because of a mishap during a training trip with his father (hot water turns him back).
    Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • MIRVs were developed during the Cold War to permit the delivery of multiple nuclear warheads with a single launch.
    Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 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
  • Democrat Josh Harder is heading back to the U.S. House following his defeat of Republican Kevin Lincoln in California’s 9th Congressional District, according to election results released Friday.
    Jason Green, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The Los Angeles County registrar did not update results over the weekend — the last tally there was released at 5 p.m. on Friday — but Tran is leading there with 56.26% of the vote.
    Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • First opened in 1970 as a product of the Chicano movement, the Denver school — now shuttered — taught its youth about Latino history and traditions.
    Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The department’s Office of Civil Rights opened an investigation into Owasso Public Schools in March following a complaint from the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization.
    Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near free

Cite this Entry

“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on free

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!