free thought

American  

noun

1. thought unrestrained by deference to authority, tradition, or established belief, especially in matters of religion.

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free thought British  

noun

1. thought unrestrained and uninfluenced by dogma or authority, esp in religious matters

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Etymology

Origin of free thought

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

For many Russians, disagreement signals not free thought but chaotic disunity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

Policy scarcely matters, and one wonders if free thought is on the endangered list, too.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2024

Two new novels test the idea that asking “Why?” can be the best defense against grown-ups who push groupthink over free thought.

From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2022

In a speech to the Secular Student Alliance in 2013, Kirkhart said that an atheist’s devotion to free thought should be equal to or greater than a religious person’s devotion to God.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2021

This is the first stage of free thought, and, as has been said, many never pass beyond it.

From English Secularism A Confession Of Belief by Holyoake, George Jacob