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Showing results for freewheeling. Search instead for freewheelingness.
Synonyms

freewheeling

American  
[free-hwee-ling, -wee-] / ˈfriˈʰwi lɪŋ, -ˈwi- /

adjective

  1. operating in the manner of a freewheel.

  2. (of a person) moving about freely, independently, or irresponsibly.

  3. (of words, remarks, actions, etc.) unrestrained; irresponsible.

    Loose, freewheeling charges were traded during the argument.


freewheeling British  
/ ˌfriːˈwiːlɪŋ /

adjective

  1. relating to, operating as, or having a freewheel; coasting

  2. informal free of restraints; carefree or uninhibited

"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 freewheeling

First recorded in 1900–05; freewheel + -ing 2


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.

See Examples For:

The freewheeling discussions on rewatch podcasts also align with how younger consumers prefer to see their favorite celebrities presented — authentic, unvarnished and free of the restraint of public relations handlers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Donald Trump "pretty much does what he wants" and recommended staying calm in a world on edge, preferably with a sauna, in a freewheeling interview to AFP on Tuesday.

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

Upon that ocean Cortés somehow glimpses Odysseus’ ship—a fusion of time frames that mirrors Mr. Power’s freewheeling, chronology-defying prose.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

Bridgers also provided guest vocals on Silk Chiffon, a freewheeling sapphic love song that became Muna's breakthrough single.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

I’m in no hurry to go in there to be a fifth wheel, treated like I’m hopelessly out of it, old-fashioned and humorless, by the freewheeling Richard.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

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