civil liberty
noun
plural civil liberties
: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's speech or actions by other individuals or by the government especially as constitutionally guaranteed (as by the U.S. Bill of Rights)
—usually plural
Examples of civil liberties include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, the right to privacy, and the right to due process of law.—
Ramon Martin
compare civil rights
Ramon Martin
civil libertarian
noun
plural civil libertarians
Civil libertarians contend that the heightened scrutiny has discouraged illegal immigrants from seeking marriage, … a fundamental right protected under the Constitution.
—Randy Kennedy
Randy Kennedy
civil libertarian
adjective
… continued divisions within the GOP on civil libertarian issues.
—Ian Duncan and Lisa Mascaro
Ian Duncan and Lisa Mascaro
Examples of civil liberty in a Sentence
Freedom of speech is a civil liberty.
Recent Examples on the Web
The earliest discussions of a nationwide protest began circulating on social media in late 2024, with activists sharing concerns over immigration policies, government restructuring and civil liberties.
—Jenna Dejong, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
The plan has been sharply criticized by teachers and civil liberty groups, and is causing fear within Oklahoma’s immigrant communities, said Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, a Democrat who represents Oklahoma City’s heavily Hispanic south side.
—Sean Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Immigrant and civil liberties advocates raised concerns over the bill's provisions that would require ICE agents to detain broad categories of noncitizens and give states the right to sue its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, if ICE fails to do so.
—Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
The United States under Biden has issued declarations about its worries over human rights and civil liberties and judicial elections, basically commenting on the erosion of democracy in Mexico.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
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Jenna Dejong, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
The plan has been sharply criticized by teachers and civil liberty groups, and is causing fear within Oklahoma’s immigrant communities, said Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, a Democrat who represents Oklahoma City’s heavily Hispanic south side.
—Sean Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Immigrant and civil liberties advocates raised concerns over the bill's provisions that would require ICE agents to detain broad categories of noncitizens and give states the right to sue its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, if ICE fails to do so.
—Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
The United States under Biden has issued declarations about its worries over human rights and civil liberties and judicial elections, basically commenting on the erosion of democracy in Mexico.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for civil liberty
Dictionary Entries Near civil liberty
Cite this Entry
“Civil liberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20liberty. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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