license 1 of 2

variants or licence

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
Millions of drivers in North Carolina could see rules around license expirations and renewals change. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 Just don’t forget to get your North Carolina fishing license beforehand. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Kodiak Roustabout, a contractor licensed to inspect Aghorn injection wells also admitted to sending fraudulent well data to Texas regulators. Saul Elbein, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025 The firm has licensed four promising obesity therapies from China, which is emerging as a pharmaceutical research and development powerhouse. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for license
Recent Examples of Synonyms for license
Noun
  • To qualify as religious release time, educational instruction must take place off campus, with parental permission and with no public funding.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Visas grant international students entry to the U.S., while their status in the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) database is part of what gives them legal permission to stay in the U.S. for studies or limited on-the-job training after graduation.
    Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Our Connecticut delegation has been unwavering in their efforts to protect Medicaid, working tirelessly in Washington to prevent reductions to this vital program.
    Jennifer Jackson, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The Chinese are very artful with friendship associations, with having friendly delegations going over to talk about battery technology or wind generation of energy, etc.
    Ali Martin, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Universities and the government use the database to track foreign students and students rely on it for their authorization to remain in the country.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Synthetic Food Dyes to Be Phased Out The FDA plans to revoke authorization of two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the next few months.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Implement Anonymous Surveys Move beyond annual engagement surveys and implement anonymous pulse surveys that enable real-time analysis.
    Kerri Sutey, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • On the farm, poor sanitation enabled cows and dairy workers to introduce tuberculosis, typhoid, and other pathogens into milk.
    Made by History, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • She was charged with kidnapping in commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating a law enforcement officer in the commission of a felony and felony violation of probation.
    Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Photo by Paul Rubio Afar partners with CreditCards.com and may receive a commission from card issuers.
    Paul Rubio, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In a time when everything feels expensive, that kind of freedom is priceless.
    Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In question was whether Bob Jones' discriminatory policy was protected by its right to religious freedom, because the school claimed the Bible prohibited race-mixing.
    Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • You’re also permitted to write off a certain amount of loss due to disaster, reducing your tax burden.
    Cora Lewis, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • His White House permitted the attorney general to say that the man’s wife and child are better off without Garcia.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the past, only non-discounted stays qualified for free dining deals, but next year, guests will be able to couple that benefit with other promotions.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Even before the current wave of promotions, college students had established themselves as AI’s power users.
    Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“License.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/license. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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!