as in nontraditional
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Recent Examples of free-spirited
Marfa embodies a free-spirited approach to living—where art, community and self-expression unite under vast open skies.
—
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
This time, the free-spirited, artsy Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) — who is the second-eldest among his siblings — gets his turn in the spotlight in a romance based on Julia Quinn's third Bridgerton novel, An Offer from a Gentleman.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
While John is overjoyed to see his free-spirited cousin, who drove her carriage from Scotland after her coachman fell ill, Francesca appears noticeably shaken by Michaela’s unexpected visit.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
The zainy, free-spirited, self-actualized, and destructive singer has had difficult cultural and public moments.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Landing a job as the nanny to neurotic Ray (Dakota Fanning), the free-spirited ‘It’ girl learns how to grow up with some help from the young girl.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
Each nail is split in half by a thin, abstract line, creating a bit of cohesion within a free-spirited design.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Beach weddings and backyard events are well-suited to boho and free-spirited pieces, so try a strapless or halter design with details like ruffles and rosettes.
—Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
An early architect of the cult of celebrity, Bardot masterfully harnessed the energy of the Swinging Sixties, framing herself as a free-spirited embodiment of a changing world.
—Isobel Thompson, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2025
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
This time, the free-spirited, artsy Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) — who is the second-eldest among his siblings — gets his turn in the spotlight in a romance based on Julia Quinn's third Bridgerton novel, An Offer from a Gentleman.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
While John is overjoyed to see his free-spirited cousin, who drove her carriage from Scotland after her coachman fell ill, Francesca appears noticeably shaken by Michaela’s unexpected visit.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
The zainy, free-spirited, self-actualized, and destructive singer has had difficult cultural and public moments.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Landing a job as the nanny to neurotic Ray (Dakota Fanning), the free-spirited ‘It’ girl learns how to grow up with some help from the young girl.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
Each nail is split in half by a thin, abstract line, creating a bit of cohesion within a free-spirited design.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Beach weddings and backyard events are well-suited to boho and free-spirited pieces, so try a strapless or halter design with details like ruffles and rosettes.
—Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
An early architect of the cult of celebrity, Bardot masterfully harnessed the energy of the Swinging Sixties, framing herself as a free-spirited embodiment of a changing world.
—Isobel Thompson, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-spirited
Adjective
-
There are a host of lower-tier racers still to finish the first run in a field that includes 81 competitors, with many representing nontraditional ski nations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Resume Genius defines it as a profession that stresses work experience and nontraditional educational paths, including academic certificates and online training.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Less out-there, sure, but a little too much been-there.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Throughout, the out-there design has been paired with state-of-the-art tech and security upgrades.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Consisting entirely of text, the iconoclastic video installation was shown briefly on television, in airtime purchased by the artists, to alert unsuspecting spectators to TV advertising’s role—and their own complicity—in maintaining the status quo.—
Michael Cowan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
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The film’s official synopsis is a quote attributed to the iconoclastic filmmaker.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Once ridiculed and dismissed for his nonconformist views on vaccines, nutrition, and exercise, Kennedy now leads a vast legion of followers and acolytes.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
17 Jan. 2026
-
As such, the city takes on its own distinctively sooty, nonconformist character.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The design was by aviation legend Burt Rutan, known for his bold and often maverick creations.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN,
27 Jan. 2023
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Sinema has modeled her political approach on the maverick style of the late Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who alienated the grassroots of his party by sometimes crossing the aisle to work with Democrats.—
Time,
Time,
23 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Many in Syria’s dissident circles at first found Bashar’s awkwardness and shyness appealing.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
-
And anyone who dares to peek behind the curtain—journalists, dissident professors, activists, even, bizarrely, the Iranian president himself—becomes a threat to the regime.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Drunkenness, like madness, protects the messengers of heretical truth from disbelief, disdain, and retaliation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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This heretical policy gets some support from yet another rigid convention, that of credits, which separates directors from screenwriters.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Free-spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-spirited. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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