liberty

noun

ˈli-bər-tē How to pronounce liberty (audio)
Definition of libertynext
1
as in choice
the power, right, or opportunity to choose he doesn't want to go to the sales conference, but he doesn't have that liberty

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another the hope that the country's first-ever elections will usher in a new era of liberty and respect for the rule of law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

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

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

When could freedom be used to replace liberty?

In some situations, the words freedom and liberty are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is it sensible to use license instead of liberty?

Although the words license and liberty have much in common, 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 liberty 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 As a guidebook for government, any religion is too constrictive to tolerate true liberty. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026 The book, of course, goes much more in depth into Bela’s story, but the film takes plenty of other liberties in bringing the tale to the big screen. — William Earl, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 During the French Revolution, lindens were among the tens of thousands of trees planted across the country to symbolize liberty. — Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liberty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberty
  1. choice
  2. autonomy
  3. option
  4. freedom
  5. preference
  6. sovereignty
  7. independence
  8. independency
Noun
  • His parents and family have a choice – to accept their child’s autonomy or not.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Wayne Hamilton, a former executive director of the Texas Republican Party, said Paxton's history of legal and ethical problems could have some conservatives looking for another choice.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of choice
Noun
  • The jet’s modular design enables rapid integration of mission systems and mission autonomy software.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Rooted in feminism and unfolding against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis, the works consider flesh and the human body with brutal honesty, viewing them as vessels for trauma, mortality, and political autonomy.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of autonomy
Noun
  • The Royals could also decline All-Star closer Carlos Estévez’s club option.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Ukraine believes security guarantees backed by Western allies are essential to any future settlement, ideally in the form of NATO membership — an option Vladimir Putin has rejected.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of option
Noun
  • My first exit gave me that freedom, but also a sense of unfinished business.
    — Daniel Kjellén, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The decades-long contract with Cheniere indicates that Qatar sees a risk that freedom of navigation will never return to Hormuz as Iran keeps attacking tankers, Munton said.
    — Spencer Kimball,Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of freedom
Noun
  • An agent can work in the background, remember preferences, monitor information and handle tasks across various websites and apps.
    — Marty Swant, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Glance functions like a personal shopper, remembering the users’ preferences, scouring the web for good deals on the right looks and circling back to offer up virtual try-ons and get the green light before making the purchase.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of preference
Noun
  • Lula has instead emphasized multilateralism, ties with the Global South and China — Brazil’s largest export market — and his resistance to Trump’s tariff measures as a defense of national sovereignty.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The three providers built around European technology received a higher sovereignty rating.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • Parties that likely would support Eisenkot have vowed to improve Israel's international standing and work to conscript ultra-Orthodox men while bolstering the independence of the judiciary.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Parties that likely would support Eisenkot have vowed to improve Israel’s international standing and work to conscript ultra-Orthodox men while bolstering the independence of the judiciary.
    — Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of independence
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

Phrases Containing liberty

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libertinism
liberty
libidinous
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Cite this Entry

“Liberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberty. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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