laissez-faire
6 antonyms and opposites of laissez-faire, grouped by meaning.
Noun — The principle that governments should interfere as little as possible in business and the economy, leaving markets to regulate themselves.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun economics
The principle that governments should interfere as little as possible in business and the economy, leaving markets to regulate themselves.
“Nineteenth-century laissez-faire left factory conditions almost entirely unpoliced.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Deliberately hands-off; allowing people to act as they choose with little supervision or control.
“His laissez-faire management style suits senior staff but leaves juniors adrift.”
Opposites
Antonyms
How to use laissez-faire
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Formal in the economic sense, neutral in the everyday one. Usually hyphenated in English and no longer italicised.
Etymology
From French laissez faire, "let (them) do" — from a longer phrase urging governments to leave commerce alone.
Full origin of laissez-faire →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between laissez-faire and libertarianism?
Laissez-faire is a specific position about economic policy: keep the state out of markets. Libertarianism is a broader political philosophy that extends minimal state interference to personal life, speech and civil liberties as well. All libertarians favour laissez-faire economics, but not everyone who does is a libertarian.
What is laissez-faire leadership?
It is a style in which the manager sets the goal, supplies resources and then leaves the team to decide how to work. It suits experienced, self-directed people and tends to fail with those who need structure or feedback.
Is laissez-faire the same as doing nothing?
Not quite. Laissez-faire is a deliberate choice not to intervene, on the belief that the outcome will be better without interference. Simple neglect involves no such judgement, though critics argue the results can look identical.