1
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
the 20th century saw many African countries become free after many years of European rule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in freed
no longer burdened with something unpleasant or painful
after our son arrived home safely, we were grateful to be free from worry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in loose
not bound, confined, or detained by force
all of the animals in the game preserve are free to roam all over its vast area
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4
as in gratis
not costing or charging anything
although the museum normally charges admission, on Wednesdays it is free to all
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5
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction
make sure the pass is free before you attempt the trip through the mountains this winter
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6
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation
the lottery winner was very free with his money
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in off
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
this computer terminal is free if you need to use it
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8
as in familiar
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
she's a little too free with information about her social life
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9
as in single
not physically attached to another unit
an arrangement of free columns adds interest to the Greco-Roman sculpture garden
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1
as in to release
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
a global crusade to free Nelson Mandela from a South African prison had emerged
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2
as in to open
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
we'll free the river by breaking up the ice jam
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3
as in to clear
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way
would you mind freeing up the work area so I can work?
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4
as in to rid
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a phone call would free your parents from worry
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5
as in to liberate
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
this plan should free us from debt
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Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a free press
free access
free speech
a free choice
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of free
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2025
With one week before the start of NFL free agency, Rams coach Sean McVay is resting, if not resting easy, knowing Stafford will be leading his team for a fifth season.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 4 Mar. 2025
The Dolphins’ two options would be releasing him (which wouldn’t free up significant cap space until after June 1) or keeping him but with terms of the contract adjusted to save Miami money and cap space.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Adjective
All three local ski areas are located within the park, are accessible via a free shuttle, and are part of the SkiBig3 family: Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2025
With one week before the start of NFL free agency, Rams coach Sean McVay is resting, if not resting easy, knowing Stafford will be leading his team for a fifth season.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
The inmates took over, killing guards and freeing everyone; Trent helped himself to a dead guard’s uniform, radio and weapon (as well as the knife sticking out of his chest), and used it to pose as a law-enforcement official helping manage the chaos as people flocked to Paradise in their cars.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 4 Mar. 2025
The Dolphins’ two options would be releasing him (which wouldn’t free up significant cap space until after June 1) or keeping him but with terms of the contract adjusted to save Miami money and cap space.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free
Adjective
-
Overall, independent and British games did well in the nominations unveiled by the British Academy.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Joanne Hsu, surveys of consumers director for the university, said consumers aligned with independent and Democratic parties have more doom and gloom than their Republican counterparts, accounting for the shift down.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Her hair was styled in loose waves with bobby pins, holding it back from her face.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
-
As the pig slowly roasts in an imu pit and the partygoers cut loose, the celebration boils over when Ryan uncovers the missing memory of when his life took a tragic turn.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
At 80, Gaines has eyes that are clear and discerning, his generous and direct demeanor giving away his decades-long experience as an educator.—
Meka Boyle,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
-
With the generous windfall, consider becoming your own boss.—
ESSENCE Lifestyle,
Essence,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Stewart’s on-field production left a lot to be desired last year, but his motor doesn’t have an off switch.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Park officials later discovered the remains in the original search area using a human remains detection canine during an off-trail grid search.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The idea is both familiar and transformative: public fridges, placed in neighborhoods, stocked by the people, for the people—no questions asked.—
The Glamour editors,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Whatever the club’s reasoning, there was something familiar and troubling about this disappointing deadline paralysis.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
If this were to happen in reality, the very first thing is that every single government, every single big business would invent an alternative.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Likewise, small business optimism saw its single largest one-month gain ever recorded, a 41-point jump.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
He was released by the Chargers on March 5, saving the team $25.36 million in salary cap space.—
Dianna Russini,
The Athletic,
12 Mar. 2025
-
At least one person was killed and 18 injured, according to a CNN tally of figures released by various Ukrainian officials.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Cubs made an impression on Yanagawa as a young kid when the team opened the 2000 season in the Tokyo Dome.—
Patrick Mooney,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
-
When the husband sinks lifelessly into the queen’s arms, her mother-self, sitting beside her, stares straight ahead and opens her mouth wide in a silent scream.—
Jennifer Homans,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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