civil liberties

Cultural  

1. In general, the rights to freedom of thought, expression, and action, and the protection of these rights from government interference or restriction. Civil liberties are the hallmark of liberal, democratic “free” societies. In the United States, the Bill of Rights guarantees a variety of civil liberties, most notably freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech, expressed in the First Amendment (see also First Amendment). (See civil rights.)

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Example Sentences

The Green Party and Jeremy Corbyn's Your Party have also warned the response to the "abhorrent" attacks should not restrict civil liberties.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

"Right now, there's no way to ensure that our tools wouldn't be leveraged to cause terrible harms or erode civil liberties away from public scrutiny."

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

The National Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers and other civil liberties groups backed Chatrie’s challenge to the government’s use of geofence warrants.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

Critics of involuntary civil-commitment programs argue they violate civil liberties and stigmatize mental illness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

You have already agreed that this letter raises questions like the rights of freedom, civil liberties, and so on?

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• freedom
• freedom of religion
• freedom of speech
• human rights