Synonyms

free speech

American

noun

freedom of speech.

free speech British

noun

the right to express one's opinions publicly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of free speech

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

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.

Free speech in a modern economy is not a luxury.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Free speech advocate Mr O'Grady said "no-one is arguing for an unfettered 'right' to incite racial hatred".

From BBC • May 24, 2025

Free speech advocates say this the first statewide book ban as, traditionally, schools and libraries have decided which books are appropriate for children giving due consideration to their literary or artistic value, ABC News reported.

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2024

Free speech should be sacrosanct — especially that which we abhor — in order to preserve a vibrant democracy.

From Seattle Times • May 22, 2024

Free speech and press hadn’t done too well in the ante bellum South.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler

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