free speech
noun
: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
also
: the right to such speech
an unconstitutional restraint on free speech —
Nat'l Law Jour.
Nat'l Law Jour. Examples of free speech in a Sentence
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The central issue is whether Colorado's law violates the free speech rights of licensed counselors.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
In fall 2020, Pack assigned two political appointees at the agency to investigate senior White House correspondent Steve Herman; it was decried as a witch hunt and found by a federal judge to be an unconstitutional breach of the firewall's free speech protections.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
Catch up quick: The high court agreed to take up a challenge from Kaley Chiles, a Christian counselor, who argued Colorado's restriction against licensed mental health professionals engaging in conversion therapy for minors violates her free speech rights.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
The retreat comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of several arts organizations, arguing that the measure is an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 10 Mar. 2025
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William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
In fall 2020, Pack assigned two political appointees at the agency to investigate senior White House correspondent Steve Herman; it was decried as a witch hunt and found by a federal judge to be an unconstitutional breach of the firewall's free speech protections.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
Catch up quick: The high court agreed to take up a challenge from Kaley Chiles, a Christian counselor, who argued Colorado's restriction against licensed mental health professionals engaging in conversion therapy for minors violates her free speech rights.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
The retreat comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of several arts organizations, arguing that the measure is an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free speech
Cite this Entry
“Free speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20speech. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
free speech
noun1
: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
setting off an alarm bell is not free speech—A. M. Dershowitz
A. M. Dershowitz2
: freedom of speech
an unconstitutional restraint on free speech—National Law Journal
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