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
Meanwhile, Congress has eliminated penalties for noncompliance with those fuel economy rules, essentially giving automakers free rein to focus on large, less-efficient gas and diesel vehicles.
—
Camila Domonoske, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
The agent was not given free rein over sensitive conversations.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for free rein
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Camila Domonoske, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
The agent was not given free rein over sensitive conversations.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
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
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 15 Feb. 2026.
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