free association
noun
1
a
: the expression (as by speaking or writing) of the content of consciousness without censorship as an aid in gaining access to unconscious processes especially in psychoanalysis
b
: the reporting of the first thought that comes to mind in response to a given stimulus (such as a word)
2
: an idea or image elicited by free association
3
: a method using free association
Examples of free association in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The three former officials, whose careers collectively spanned over six decades of law enforcement experience across the ranks of the FBI, allege that the firings violated their due process rights as well as their First Amendment rights to free association and speech.
—
Luke Barr, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
The men allege their dismissals violated their Fifth Amendment right to due process and the First Amendment's guarantee to free association and free speech.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Charlie Harper takes that straightforward arc and scrambles the timeline, so that the beats are organized not by chronology but by something like free association.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
What To Know The Cook Islands is a self-governing island nation in free association with New Zealand, meaning the latter handles many of its foreign and security affairs after consulting with its government.
—Hugh Cameron
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free association
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Luke Barr, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
The men allege their dismissals violated their Fifth Amendment right to due process and the First Amendment's guarantee to free association and free speech.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Charlie Harper takes that straightforward arc and scrambles the timeline, so that the beats are organized not by chronology but by something like free association.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
What To Know The Cook Islands is a self-governing island nation in free association with New Zealand, meaning the latter handles many of its foreign and security affairs after consulting with its government.
—Hugh Cameron
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free association
Cite this Entry
“Free association.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20association. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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