liberty

10 synonyms and 6 antonyms for liberty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Freedom from oppressive restriction or control; the state of being free to act, speak, or believe as one chooses.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

independence license freedom

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

autonomy emancipation latitude familiarity

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

self-determination indecorum impropriety

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Freedom from oppressive restriction or control; the state of being free to act, speak, or believe as one chooses.

“The revolution was fought in the name of liberty and equality.”

independence autonomy self-determination emancipation latitude license indecorum impropriety freedom familiarity

Opposites

compulsion restraint constraint

2. noun

Freedom from imprisonment, slavery, or forced confinement.

“After years in prison, he finally tasted liberty again.”

Opposites

slavery servitude bondage

How to use liberty

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

take the liberty of civil liberty at liberty liberty of speech

Etymology

From Old French liberté, from Latin libertas, "freedom," from liber, "free."

Full origin of liberty →

Frequently asked questions

What does “liberty” mean?

The word “liberty” means freedom from oppressive restriction or control; the state of being free to act, speak, or believe as one chooses. In plain terms, freedom — from oppression, imprisonment, or restriction — often used in political or philosophical contexts.

How do you pronounce “liberty”?

“Liberty” is pronounced LIHB-ih-tee (/ˈlɪb.ɚ.ti/ in IPA).

How do you use “liberty” in a sentence?

Here is “liberty” used in a sentence: “The revolution was fought in the name of liberty and equality.”

What is another word for “liberty”?

Words with a similar meaning to “liberty” include freedom.

What part of speech is “liberty”?

“Liberty” is a noun.

Where does the word “liberty” come from?

The word “liberty” comes from Latin. From Old French liberté, from Latin libertas, "freedom," from liber, "free.".

Is “liberty” a common word?

“Liberty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “liberty” have?

“Liberty” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: freedom from oppressive restriction or control; the state of being free to act, speak, or believe as one chooses.

What is the difference between liberty and freedom?

Liberty and freedom both describe the state of being free to act, speak, or believe as one chooses. In practice, liberty often carries a more formal, legal, or political tone (as in civil liberties), while freedom is the broader, more everyday word.

Is liberty countable or uncountable?

Liberty is usually uncountable when it means freedom in general ("the fight for liberty"). It becomes countable when it refers to specific rights or freedoms, as in "civil liberties."

People also searched

freedom independence license slavery autonomy restraint latitude bondage familiarity emancipation constraint compulsion

Nearby words

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