1
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
the 20th century saw many African countries become free after many years of European rule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in loose
not bound, confined, or detained by force
all of the animals in the game preserve are free to roam all over its vast area
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4
as in gratis
not costing or charging anything
although the museum normally charges admission, on Wednesdays it is free to all
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5
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction
make sure the pass is free before you attempt the trip through the mountains this winter
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6
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation
the lottery winner was very free with his money
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7
as in off
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
this computer terminal is free if you need to use it
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8
as in familiar
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
she's a little too free with information about her social life
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9
as in single
not physically attached to another unit
an arrangement of free columns adds interest to the Greco-Roman sculpture garden
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1
as in to release
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
a global crusade to free Nelson Mandela from a South African prison had emerged
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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
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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?
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4
as in to rid
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a phone call would free your parents from worry
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5
as in to liberate
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
this plan should free us from debt
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Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a free press
free access
free speech
a free choice
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of free
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Maya Silver, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Most of the Ukrainians freed in the latest prisoner exchange are young people born after 2000, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Friday.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Adjective
The problem for the Ducks is that free agency looks to be a depressed market after Mitch Marner, and that’s if the Toronto Maple Leafs star makes it to July 1.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
Within a few hours, the final body has been freed from its icy tomb and wrapped and laid next to the others, waiting its turn to be loaded into the helicopter.
—Maya Silver, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Most of the Ukrainians freed in the latest prisoner exchange are young people born after 2000, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Friday.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
-
The government argues that simply means that while the task force can consider a request from the Health and Human Services secretary – and even be fired for not complying – they’re supposed to exercise independent judgment.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The Fed is an independent government agency established by Congress.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Iconic examples abound, from Yves Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking to Armani’s loose takes that made trousers for women permissible evening attire.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2025
-
So, to shed light on this process, Li Hsia Yeo, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, led a lab experiment observing the effects of simulated solar wind on two samples of loose regolith brought to Earth by the Apollo 17 mission.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The generous battery keeps podcasts alive for a full travel day, and a ten‑minute quick top‑up grants four extra hours before boarding.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
-
At the end of every season, Jim had given generous gifts to the cast and crew.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Except the Giants did it without an off day, on both sides of the country, and against contending teams.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
That was enough for the Cavaliers to overcome an off day from All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who totaled just 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field and 3-of-8 shooting on threes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In so doing, Francis' steps did not always follow familiar paths.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Kaye’s version, if the full title isn’t clear enough, has a familiar outline: First-gen immigrants become parents in the West, hoping their sacrifices will be rewarded with a doctor or lawyer child; child goes another way; conflict ensues.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Each plane has four single suites and four side-by-side suites, two of each at the front of each business class cabin.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The United States does not even have enough industrywide capacity to make a single Ford-class aircraft carrier per year.—
MICHAEL BROWN,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
August reservations will be released on July 1 and so on.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
No other information about the incident was released.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The import taxes prompted manufacturers to open new factories in countries like Mexico, Vietnam and Thailand.—
Pablo Robles,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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