1
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
the 20th century saw many African countries become free after many years of European rule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in freed
no longer burdened with something unpleasant or painful
after our son arrived home safely, we were grateful to be free from worry
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3
as in loose
not bound, confined, or detained by force
all of the animals in the game preserve are free to roam all over its vast area
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4
as in gratis
not costing or charging anything
although the museum normally charges admission, on Wednesdays it is free to all
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5
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction
make sure the pass is free before you attempt the trip through the mountains this winter
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6
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation
the lottery winner was very free with his money
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7
as in off
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
this computer terminal is free if you need to use it
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8
as in familiar
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
she's a little too free with information about her social life
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9
as in single
not physically attached to another unit
an arrangement of free columns adds interest to the Greco-Roman sculpture garden
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1
as in to release
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
a global crusade to free Nelson Mandela from a South African prison had emerged
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2
as in to open
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
we'll free the river by breaking up the ice jam
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3
as in to clear
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way
would you mind freeing up the work area so I can work?
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4
as in to rid
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a phone call would free your parents from worry
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5
as in to liberate
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
this plan should free us from debt
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Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a free press
free access
free speech
a free choice
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of free
Luke Broadwater Eric Schmitt Glenn Thrush Abbie Vansickle, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Their children receive a free education as their parents pay no property taxes.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Having deep conversations will be freeing, as Mercury confides in Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto retrograde from June 27 to June 29.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Adjective
Economists predicted that the United States would break free of its long-running housing slump in 2025.
—Luke Broadwater Eric Schmitt Glenn Thrush Abbie Vansickle, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Their children receive a free education as their parents pay no property taxes.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
Verb
Frey pointed out, for example, that even if Chauvin were to be pardoned by Trump from his 21-year federal sentence, that would not free the former officer for his 22-year state sentence for second- and third-degree murder.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Having deep conversations will be freeing, as Mercury confides in Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto retrograde from June 27 to June 29.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
-
Trump and his team take an expansive view of the president’s powers, which has been met with resistance from federal judges, congressional Democrats, and independent agencies such as the GAO.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
-
As pope, Leo serves as leader of both the Holy See, the governing body of the Catholic Church, and Vatican City, an independent state.—
Russ Bynum,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Tips for Choosing the Right Outdoor Furniture Cover Size An outdoor furniture cover size that’s too large can cause the cover to come loose from your furniture during storms or windy conditions, while a cover that’s too small won’t fit securely on the furniture.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
-
Entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $4.5 million annual average value, Marchment could shake loose as a result of Dallas opting to make some difficult budgetary choices this summer.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
The cockpit can be fitted with a solar Starlight Bimini providing generous shade.—
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
The zoom ring is generous in size while the manual focus ring is quite narrow, so gloved use of the lens may be an issue.—
James Abbott,
Space.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
For those who aren’t seeking beach time, the island also was praised for offering historic sites, golf courses and other off-shore activities.—
Simone Jasper,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
After an off day Thursday, the Arizona Diamondbacks come to GABP for three games.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
The latter star has landed a number of hits throughout the past few years by repurposing melodies and interpolating hooks from older, familiar smashes by other artists, reworking them into something exciting and new for a different audience.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
For a more familiar beverage option, Thai iced tea ($6.50) always hits its mark.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
But seeing that ship in space today was a hell of a moment for us, so congratulations to every single person who put time, effort, sweat, anything, into that rocket.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
28 May 2025
-
Packages valued at up to $800 can no longer bypass customs duty and instead have been slapped with higher duties and single package flat costs.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Generic drugs, which are designed to provide the same therapeutic effects as brand-name ones and are released after their patents expire, account for 90% of all prescriptions in the US.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
-
An Arizona murderer was sentenced to life plus 10 years in prison on May 27 after killing a second person only 16 days after he was released in 2020, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona.—
Christina Shaw,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Over time, that approach opened the company to serious problems, including the notorious 737 MAX crashes.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
-
O’Sullivan went to his ace to open the regional with his freshman jitters behind him.—
Jackson Castellano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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