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.)

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

civil liberties

In his first year in office, more than one civil liberties advocate has taken issue with his approach.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

An agency spokesperson said that ICE’s investigative methods abide by the Constitution and respects civil liberties and privacy interests.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

"David Davis resigned his seat and stood again as a protest over the issue of civil liberties," explained Whiteley.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026

Norman Siegel, one of the nation’s leading civil liberties attorneys, has led large-scale voting rights and voting registration efforts in the south and around the country.

From Salon ● Jun. 16, 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