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Synonyms

at liberty

Idioms  

  1. Free, not obligated; also, not occupied. For example, I am not at liberty to tell you the whole story, or “I ... washed when there was a basin at liberty” (Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847). This idiom is often used in a negative context, as in the first example. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jacques Moretti had been held in custody since January 9, while his wife has remained at liberty, under certain restrictions.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

At the end of the trial in October, the judge – who could have allowed Sarkozy to remain at liberty pending his appeal – ruled instead that he should go to jail.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

She says there have been other uses of the missile, which she isn’t at liberty to discuss.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

I also feel entirely at liberty with the table salt.

From Slate • Aug. 17, 2025

All he knew was that the idea of doing nothing, while Black was at liberty, was almost more than he could stand.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.