FREEDOM Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'freedom' different from other nouns like it?

The words liberty and license are common synonyms of freedom . While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," 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

Q: When could 'liberty' be used to replace 'freedom'?

In some situations, the words liberty and freedom are roughly equivalent. However, liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion. // the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

Q: In what contexts can 'license' take the place of 'freedom'?

While in some cases nearly identical to freedom , license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom. // freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

freedom

noun

ˈfrē-dəm

Definition of freedom

as in independence

the state of being free from the control or power of another we owe our freedom to the untold numbers of soldiers who have fought in our nation's wars since its founding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in latitude

the right to act or move freely as special guests of the owners, the youngsters had full freedom of the resort and its private beach

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word freedom different from other nouns like it?

The words liberty and license are common synonyms of freedom. While all three words mean "the power or condition of acting without compulsion," 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 could liberty be used to replace freedom?

In some situations, the words liberty and freedom are roughly equivalent. However, liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

In what contexts can license take the place of freedom?

While in some cases nearly identical to freedom, license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom.

freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

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 freedom The president’s poll numbers have been below water across the board, but especially so on foreign policy, where over two-thirds of Americans disapprove of his job performance and support Kyiv’s fight for freedom. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 With the law on his side, Smith expected that Biddy and the others would be forced to follow him once again—from the cusp of freedom into the maw of slavery. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 Uthmeier and the Catholic Church At times, Uthmeier’s writings have delved into his own personal views on God and constitutional freedoms. — Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 The church unleashes a campaign—online and onsite—demanding the family’s religious freedom, and the most fervent outcry and mobilization come from the political far right. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for freedom

Recent Examples of Synonyms for freedom

Noun

Bringing these creative brands together, giving producers access to a broader pool of talent, IP and resources, while preserving their independence is what differentiates Mediawan.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
The higher the required SIL, the greater the required risk reduction and the more demanding the design, verification and independence of the safety function.

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of independence

Noun

Even so, viewers at mid-northern latitudes should see an eye-catching object low in the west-northwest sky in early August.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Individual businesses have latitude to pursue opportunities within group-wide guidelines and a strong risk-management framework, while central functions provide the governance, systems and controls that keep that autonomy disciplined.

— Rob Versaw, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of latitude

Noun

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made a final appeal to voters considering a path toward independence in his home province of Alberta on Friday, warning that a referendum is a dangerous gamble at a time of growing threats to Canada’s sovereignty.

— Rob Gillies, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
The practical reason for this is to ensure that European customers have full sovereignty over software, algorithms, data, and hardware.

— David Szondy October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sovereignty

Noun

But the patient in the demo product had not signed any authorizations, so there was no way to show me how to revoke them.

— Alex Rosenblat — CalMatters, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026
Some plans are also adding utilization requirements, such as prior authorization.

— Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of authorization

Noun

Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.

— Barton Swaim, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2021
His seemingly daily attacks on freedom of speech, the independency of the judiciary, the right to vote and other pillars of our constitutional system are bolstered by an intensely loyal fan base.

— Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2020

Definition of independency

Noun

At the end of September, leaders of several of the biggest AI companies went to the White House and signed an accord committing to internal risk controls, independent audits and board-level oversight of safety.

— Giorgos Tsetis, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
That includes colorblock styling, chunky knobs and physical controls, and simple shapes that make each device memorable and distinctive.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

All year long, there’s been a lot of bellyaching over the creative liberties that Christopher Nolan (The Odyssey), Zach Cregger (Resident Evil) and the Lanterns team took with their respective adaptations.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
More broadly, expanding religious-liberty projections may increasingly come into tension with governmental efforts to enforce civil rights protections.

— Preston Green III, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of liberty

Noun

Its boosted flat-six engine receives a power bump, and rear-axle steering is now standard, as are larger brakes with six-piston calipers up front.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Europe is now home to some of the most promising companies building clean power, while remaining an expensive place to buy it.

— Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

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freedmen

freedom

freedoms

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“Freedom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freedom. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of freedom

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