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
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There are countless definitions of democracy, but virtually all Americans agree on several core criteria: free and fair elections, checks and balances, peaceful transfers of power, free speech.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2025
Caught at the intersection of free speech and national security, the software supporting the platform is considered among the most valuable tech assets in the world.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Jan. 2025
Facing a shutdown, millions of the app’s users expressed disbelief, sadness, anger and defiance, with many posting farewell messages and others mock funerals; while critics have argued that this is a blow to free speech.
—Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
The court's decision said the divest-or-ban law does not violate the free speech rights of TikTok or its 170 million users in the U.S., agreeing with the government's position that the platform could be used by China to collect a vast amount of sensitive information on Americans.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025
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Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2025
Caught at the intersection of free speech and national security, the software supporting the platform is considered among the most valuable tech assets in the world.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Jan. 2025
Facing a shutdown, millions of the app’s users expressed disbelief, sadness, anger and defiance, with many posting farewell messages and others mock funerals; while critics have argued that this is a blow to free speech.
—Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
The court's decision said the divest-or-ban law does not violate the free speech rights of TikTok or its 170 million users in the U.S., agreeing with the government's position that the platform could be used by China to collect a vast amount of sensitive information on Americans.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for free speech
Dictionary Entries Near free speech
Cite this Entry
“Free speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20speech. Accessed 26 Jan. 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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