no strings attached

7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for no strings attached, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Phrase — Without conditions, obligations or hidden requirements.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

unconditional casual

Rare, literary or technical

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

free and clear without obligation condition-free NSA friends with benefits

Synonyms by Meaning

1. phrase

Without conditions, obligations or hidden requirements.

“The grant is a gift with no strings attached.”

unconditional free and clear without obligation condition-free

Opposites

conditional with conditions

2. phrase informal

Of a sexual relationship: casual, with neither person expecting commitment, exclusivity or emotional involvement.

“They agreed it was no strings attached and neither would text between meet-ups.”

casual NSA friends with benefits

How to use no strings attached

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

with no strings attached a no-strings-attached offer no-strings relationship

Neutral in the money or offer sense; informal in the relationship sense, where NSA is the usual written abbreviation.

Etymology

From the figurative use of strings for the ties or controls attached to a gift or agreement, as with a puppet's strings.

Full origin of no strings attached →

Frequently asked questions

What does NSA mean in dating profiles?

It is the abbreviation of no strings attached: sex without commitment, exclusivity or an ongoing emotional relationship.

What is the difference between no strings attached and friends with benefits?

Friends with benefits implies an existing friendship that also includes sex. No strings attached describes the terms rather than the relationship, and the two people may barely know each other.

Is no strings attached only about relationships?

No. It is used just as often about money, offers and deals to mean that nothing is expected in return.

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casual conditional unconditional

Nearby words

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