I. adjective
1.
not subject to the rule or control of another
a free country
Synonyms: autarchic, autarkic, autonomous, independent, separate, sovereign
Related Word: free-born, unenslaved; delivered, emancipated, enfranchised, freed, liberated, released; democratic, self-directing, self-governing, self-ruling; sui juris; individualistic, unregimented
Contrasted words: coerced, compelled, constrained, forced, obliged; dependent, restricted, subject; inferior, subordinate, subservient; captive, enslaved, enthralled, subjugated
Antonyms: bond
2.
not bound, confined, or detained by force
the prisoner was now free
Synonyms: loose, unconfined, unrestrained
Related Word: unbound, unchained, unfettered, unshackled, untied; clear, loose, scot-free; emancipated, freed, liberated; independent
Idioms: at liberty, free as a bird, free as air, free to come and go
Contrasted words: confined, restrained; impounded, imprisoned, incarcerated, interned, jailed; bound, chained, fettered, shackled, tied
3.
Synonyms: liberal 1, bounteous, bountiful, freehanded, generous, handsome, munificent, openhanded, unsparing
Antonyms: close
4.
Synonyms: outspoken , free-spoken, round, vocal
5.
not costing or charging anything
a free public school
Synonyms: chargeless, complimentary, costless, gratis, gratuitous
Related Word: unpaid, unrecompensed, unremunerated
Idioms: for free, for love, for nothing, on the cuff, on the house
Contrasted words: charged, paid; costly, dear, expensive, high, high priced
6.
not having the affections fixed on a particular object
she was happy to be free and in no hurry to fall in love again
Synonyms: fancy-free, heart-whole
II. verb
to relieve from constraint or restraint
free an oppressed people
Synonyms: discharge, disenthrall, disimprison, emancipate, liberate, loose, loosen, manumit, redeem, release, ||spring, unbind, unchain, unshackle
Related Word: clear, detach, disencumber, disengage, disentangle, extricate; deliver, ransom, redeem, rescue; affranchise, enfranchise
Idioms: cut loose
Contrasted words: fetter, hamper, hog-tie, manacle, shackle, trammel; immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail; circumscribe, confine, limit, restrict; curb, inhibit, restrain; enslave, enthrall, subjugate