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
Recent Examples on the Web
The Associated Press sued, arguing the bar amounts to a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
Friday’s ruling could have a chilling effect on free speech at colleges and universities in the US, Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, constitutional law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told CNN Friday.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Conversely, some states may seek to limit moderation efforts to preserve free speech, creating conflicting obligations for platforms that operate nationally.
—Daryl Lim, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration has asserted those arrested have supported Hamas, but critics see it as a crackdown on free speech.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
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Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
Friday’s ruling could have a chilling effect on free speech at colleges and universities in the US, Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, constitutional law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told CNN Friday.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Conversely, some states may seek to limit moderation efforts to preserve free speech, creating conflicting obligations for platforms that operate nationally.
—Daryl Lim, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration has asserted those arrested have supported Hamas, but critics see it as a crackdown on free speech.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 9 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 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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