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
Recent Examples on the Web
Some famous folks were attracted to this free speech oasis, such people as Carl Sandburg, Emma Goldman and Eugene V. Debs.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
While there are complex issues, perhaps the best way is to defy expectations and do more in areas of access and free speech than is expected/demanded.
—Jeffrey Herbst, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Meanwhile, Musk’s X in April filed a separate suit against Minnesota over a similar measure, contending that the law infringes on constitutional rights and violates federal and state free speech protections.
—Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Students emphasized the value of immigrants in the United States and expressed concerns about the erosion of democratic values and free speech.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
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Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
While there are complex issues, perhaps the best way is to defy expectations and do more in areas of access and free speech than is expected/demanded.
—Jeffrey Herbst, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Meanwhile, Musk’s X in April filed a separate suit against Minnesota over a similar measure, contending that the law infringes on constitutional rights and violates federal and state free speech protections.
—Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Students emphasized the value of immigrants in the United States and expressed concerns about the erosion of democratic values and free speech.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for free speech
Cite this Entry
“Free speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20speech. Accessed 6 Jun. 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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