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 companies argued that infringed on free speech; and the drugs could help people.
—Scott Simon, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Would this afford them stronger protections under the law related to fair use and free speech?
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Bresee said the fact that Kluwe was never fired before due to his activism would show that he was discriminated against this year for exercising his free speech rights.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Stanford University has also faced criticism over its handling of campus free speech.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
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Scott Simon, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Would this afford them stronger protections under the law related to fair use and free speech?
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Bresee said the fact that Kluwe was never fired before due to his activism would show that he was discriminated against this year for exercising his free speech rights.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Stanford University has also faced criticism over its handling of campus free speech.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free speech
Cite this Entry
“Free speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20speech. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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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