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
Trump has repeatedly threatened NBC, ABC and CBS over their coverage of him and suggested his Federal Communications Commission pull their broadcast licenses. Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025 Applicants for a permit must first have a current license to operate from the Lake County Health Department, a diagram showing the size of the vehicle or trailer, an Illinois sales tax certificate and proper insurance listing the city as an additional insured, according to city regulations. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
Kodiak Roustabout, a contractor licensed to inspect Aghorn injection wells also admitted to sending fraudulent well data to Texas regulators. Saul Elbein, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025 The firm has licensed four promising obesity therapies from China, which is emerging as a pharmaceutical research and development powerhouse. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for license
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • To qualify as religious release time, educational instruction must take place off campus, with parental permission and with no public funding.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Some school districts require permission from parents to allow disciplinary paddling in school, while others do not require any communication.
    Christina Erickson, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Our Connecticut delegation has been unwavering in their efforts to protect Medicaid, working tirelessly in Washington to prevent reductions to this vital program.
    Jennifer Jackson, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The collaboration brings a delegation of Swiss filmmakers and officials to Beijing, with Swiss Ambassador Johann N. Schneider-Ammann expected to attend the opening ceremony.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Universities and the government use the database to track foreign students and students rely on it for their authorization to remain in the country.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Synthetic Food Dyes to Be Phased Out The FDA plans to revoke authorization of two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the next few months.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Phishing attacks often attempt to get people to share personal information, like Social Security numbers, which enables criminals to access finances.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Archer Aviation Archer's efforts to secure what's called 'Type Certification' from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Midnight could enable the eVTOL company to operate out of major airports.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For example, within his first year as Pontiff, a commission to investigate the Vatican bank was created.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The commission left in place the program for owners who purchased the panels by that date.
    Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In question was whether Bob Jones' discriminatory policy was protected by its right to religious freedom, because the school claimed the Bible prohibited race-mixing.
    Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
  • According to legend, when the Spanish invaded, some Muisca chose to leap from the waterfall rather than surrender, believing they would be transformed into condors, soaring to freedom.
    Josh Rivera, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • His White House permitted the attorney general to say that the man’s wife and child are better off without Garcia.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
  • If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the past, only non-discounted stays qualified for free dining deals, but next year, guests will be able to couple that benefit with other promotions.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Even before the current wave of promotions, college students had established themselves as AI’s power users.
    Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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