LIBERTY Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'liberty' different from other nouns like it?

The words freedom and license are common synonyms of liberty . While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion. // the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

Q: When could 'freedom' be used to replace 'liberty'?

In some situations, the words freedom and liberty are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'license' instead of 'liberty'?

Although the words license and liberty have much in common, license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom. // freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

liberty

noun

ˈli-bər-tē

Definition of liberty next

as in choice

the power, right, or opportunity to choose he doesn't want to go to the sales conference, but he doesn't have that liberty

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in autonomy

the state of being free from the control or power of another the hope that the country's first-ever elections will usher in a new era of liberty and respect for the rule of law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

The words freedom and license are common synonyms of liberty. While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

When could freedom be used to replace liberty?

In some situations, the words freedom and liberty are roughly equivalent. However, 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 license instead of liberty?

Although the words license and liberty have much in common, license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom.

freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

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 liberty The eternal fight for liberty — slaves into gladiators, gladiators into free men — calls for courage and purpose beyond Lucius’s nightmarish expectations, uncovering the treachery and chicanery of Roman politics. —

Armond White, National Review, 6 Dec. 2024 One measure would ask voters to amend the state constitution to define life as beginning at conception, declaring that embryos are people with rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. —

Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 5 Dec. 2024 And, frankly, America's daughters are just as capable of defending liberty and freedom as her sons. —

CBS News, 24 Nov. 2024 The two suspects were charged with federal firearms and explosives charges, as well as the deprivation of liberty. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for liberty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberty

Noun

The narrow definition of who the competition was meant merging two competitors in a market posed a bigger risk to consumers of less choice and potentially higher prices.

Alexander Coolidge, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
By understanding strategic choices along the dimension of technology as well as markets, fintech leaders - whether founders or executives - can identify clear opportunities for growth and innovation.

London Business School, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024