free rein
noun
: unrestricted liberty of action or decision
The studio gave the director free rein over the movie.
Examples of free rein in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Along the way, Disney’s attention to detail and historic trust in Imagineers like Joe Rhode has been decimated, and does not bode well for how much free rein Disney will or will not allow its creatives across divisions.
—
Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Ahead of the bill’s passage, county leaders openly fretted about the possible damage that might come from giving such free rein to the constables.
—John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 30 Jan. 2026
Soda drinkers have been experimenting with mash-ups for decades — ever since fast-food restaurants moved soda machines out from behind the counter and gave customers free rein to mix their own drinks, Tofel said.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
Some give students and teachers free rein, while others block it entirely.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for free rein
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Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Ahead of the bill’s passage, county leaders openly fretted about the possible damage that might come from giving such free rein to the constables.
—John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 30 Jan. 2026
Soda drinkers have been experimenting with mash-ups for decades — ever since fast-food restaurants moved soda machines out from behind the counter and gave customers free rein to mix their own drinks, Tofel said.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
Some give students and teachers free rein, while others block it entirely.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for free rein
Cite this Entry
“Free rein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20rein. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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