free speech
noun
: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
also
: the right to such speech
an unconstitutional restraint on free speech —
Nat'l Law Jour.
Nat'l Law Jour. Examples of free speech in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But attorneys for TikTok say banning the app violates the free speech of millions of Americans, some of whom turn to the service to express their political views.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 27 Nov. 2024
Reportedly Join Russia's War in Ukraine Kremlin critics say Russia has increasingly relied on its foreign agent laws to stifle free speech and target independent media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
The ease of purchasing guns presents another question: How can law enforcement ensure that people remain safe from a potential threat, especially without curtailing free speech?
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 22 Nov. 2024
And the new Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, called for hate crime laws to be reviewed to protect free speech, said The Telegraph.
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—The Week Uk, theweek, 20 Nov. 2024
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Bobby Allyn, NPR, 27 Nov. 2024
Reportedly Join Russia's War in Ukraine Kremlin critics say Russia has increasingly relied on its foreign agent laws to stifle free speech and target independent media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
The ease of purchasing guns presents another question: How can law enforcement ensure that people remain safe from a potential threat, especially without curtailing free speech?
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 22 Nov. 2024
And the new Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, called for hate crime laws to be reviewed to protect free speech, said The Telegraph.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for free speech
Dictionary Entries Near free speech
Cite this Entry
“Free speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20speech. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
free speech
noun1
: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
setting off an alarm bell is not free speech—A. M. Dershowitz
A. M. Dershowitz2
: freedom of speech
an unconstitutional restraint on free speech—National Law Journal
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