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

Porter and Thurmond called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be abolished but said, short of that, the state should monitor the federal agency’s operations in the state to protect civil liberties.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Lawmakers in the EU parliament's civil liberties committee gave it their green light Wednesday, paving the way for approval by the full assembly on March 26.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

In response to these increasingly aggressive methods, civil liberties groups have pointed people towards state-level laws that might protect their privacy, whenever applicable.

From Salon • Mar. 12, 2026

To do so, he reinstated the civil liberties that Hitler had taken away.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

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