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 But on the marathon course, that wheelchair has become a path to freedom. — Elissa Candiotti, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 However, rather than the courageous grand duchesses who fought for the freedom of their people far away, the author was fascinated by the suffragette movement of the 1910s. — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 Public school choice gives families more freedom to send their children to schools outside their zones, though participating families often need to provide their own transportation. — Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026 Your mission is to aid the ongoing resistance, and the game offers significant freedom in how to approach mission objectives. — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for freedom

Recent Examples of Synonyms for freedom

Noun

Cyprus was split along ethnic lines in 1974, and Turkish Cypriots declared independence in 1983.

— Andrew Wilks, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Lewis admitted that the experience has impacted not only her independence but her confidence as well.

— Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of independence

Noun

Telescopes show Venus's crescent lengthening and thinning throughout the month, but observers at mid-northern latitudes will find Venus's image to be blurred by turbulence low in the sky.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Engineers at Jet Propulsion Laboratory and AeroVironment are working on a larger solar panel for improved power production at high-latitude locations, Pomerantz said.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of latitude

Noun

Ibrahim Traoré, who took power after a coup in 2022, Burkina Faso has presented food production as a sovereignty issue.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Lokotah works for Sunlight Media Collective, documenting stories at the intersection of Wabanaki sovereignty and environmental justice.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of sovereignty

Noun

Although the proposal will remain on Thursday’s agenda because of the 72-hour posting requirement, Kayatta said it will effectively be withdrawn during the meeting with authorization from Board President Tara Jeane.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Telle worked closely on the Abraham Accords and the authorization of the Space Force.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 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

Communities from Lansing, Michigan, to Pflugerville, Texas, are ending their relationship with Flock, largely over concerns regarding out-of-control surveillance, unwanted data sharing, high expenses, and reports of police abusing the tool.

— Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
According to the sheriff's office, Awais used his property-management companies and his relationships with association board members to exert control over the organizations' operations and finances.

— Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

For many, the Obama presidency felt like a time when America’s founding principles of equality and liberty for all were finally being realized.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
Through first-person testimonies and family photos from California communities, the show confronts family separations, civil-liberties violations and the long shadow of deportation campaigns on Mexican American life.

— Isa Farfan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of liberty

Noun

As Itauma continued attempting to throw power punches, Hrgović knew his opponent had nothing left and went for the kill.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The last act before festival founder Olivia Rodrigo, Roan turned it out with all of her powers—bolstered by a bold and bitchy, razor-sharp bob.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of freedom

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