license 1 of 2

variants or licence
Definition of licensenext

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
The license requires an applicant to register the owner’s name or the name of a local representative, physical address, phone number, email address, information on safety equipment, and a description of the property being rented. Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026 The awards are merit based and open to students pursuing education through certificate, license, two-year or four-year trade or technical school or university. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Hasbro also announced a new share repurchase program of up to $1 billion and new multiyear partnership to license the Harry Potter franchise. Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026 Authentic Brands Group continues to own the intellectual property associated with the Eddie Bauer brand and may license the brand to other operators, the company said. Anne D'innocenzio, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for license
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • Remove permissions that are not essential.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The seizure of one's property without the permission of the owner/possessor or a warrant.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • On the same week an independent evaluation team visited campus to determine if Morris Brown should keep its accreditation — and the vital federal funding that comes with it — the school was sued by a former member of its own board of trustees.
    Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • In Oklahoma, a former state superintendent threatened schools' accreditations.
    Cate Charron, IndyStar, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The union already has strike authorization from 98% of the refinery’s 840 union workers; Local 7-1’s bargaining unit will take it to USW international for final approval.
    Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Matt Faustman is the co-founder and CEO of Honey Health, a company that develops AI tools designed to automate tasks for providers — including managing fax inboxes, processing prior authorizations and retrieving patient records.
    Windsor Johnston, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Overall, the system aims to prioritize safety, enable worker collaboration, and maintain regulatory compliance without limiting work areas.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
  • The way the service will work is that once a connection is made, the person with the T-Mobile account enters a few digits on their phone (*87* to be exact) and that will enable the real-time translation service on the network.
    Bob O'Donnell, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Per the consent order, Humpal is set to pay the more than $33,000 for fish kill and investigative costs, plus a $5,000 administrative fee by September 2027.
    Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Walter could no longer swallow, and required the placement of a feeding tube—a surgery that was postponed three times because, according to doctors, Guojun refused to provide consent.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Followers like Amresh Chawla say they are drawn to the group’s tenets of vegetarianism and strict moral code, specifically the mandate to shun intoxicants.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Lawmakers should invest in infrastructure, fund water projects and conservation, reduce unfunded mandates, and reward communities that plan responsibly and make development pay its own way.
    Sean Parks, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Tree cover is almost absent above 71 degrees north latitude, approaching the Arctic Circle, the researchers said.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Until now, any free-speech debates concerning sitting members of Congress have led to the conclusion that lawmakers ought to have—to borrow from former Chief Justice Earl Warren—the widest possible latitude to express themselves.
    Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images Estee Lauder sued Walmart in California federal court over allegations the big-box retailer sold counterfeit beauty products on its website and didn’t do enough to ensure only authorized and authentic merchandise was offered to consumers.
    Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The sources spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the case.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on license

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!