freedom of speech

noun phrase

: the legal right to express one's opinions freely

Examples of freedom of speech in a Sentence

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Equatorial Guinea has limited medical care, limited freedom of speech and arbitrary enforcement of the law. Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 The First Amendment to the US Constitution explicitly protects freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Jeff Mason, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 But for some service members, freedom of speech is more limited. Michael Loria, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Media organizations have urged Tokayev to drop criminal charges against several journalists under house arrest and to revise legislation to ensure freedom of speech. ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for freedom of speech

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Cite this Entry

“Freedom of speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freedom%20of%20speech. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Legal Definition

freedom of speech

: the right to express information, ideas, and opinions free of government restrictions based on content and subject only to reasonable limitations (as the power of the government to avoid a clear and present danger) especially as guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution see also free speech compare censorship, prior restraint
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