Liberty vs. Freedom — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Liberty generally refers to the state of being free within a structured society with laws and governance. Freedom is a broader term, signifying the absence of constraints and the right to act, think, or speak as one wishes.
Difference Between Liberty and Freedom
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Key Differences
Liberty usually implies a system where freedom is enabled through laws and governance.
Freedom, by contrast, is the unrestricted power to act, speak, or think as one wants, regardless of the system in place.
Liberty is often invoked in legal and political contexts, emphasizing rights and privileges granted or protected by a governing body.
Freedom, meanwhile, can be used in various contexts, including personal, social, and philosophical, to signify the absence of constraints.
Liberty tends to focus on collective rights or societal constructs, while freedom is often considered on an individual or personal level.
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Comparison Chart
Context
Legal, Political
General, Personal
Scope
Within a system
Unrestricted
Collective vs. Individual
Collective rights
Individual rights
Constraints
Enabled by laws
Absence of constraints
Nuance
Rights and Privileges
Absence of interference
Compare with Definitions
Liberty
Liberty entails rights and privileges granted or protected by law.
The Constitution guarantees certain liberties such as freedom of speech.
Freedom
Freedom can refer to a state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.
After years of struggle, they finally won their freedom.
Liberty
Broadly speaking, liberty is the ability to do as one pleases, or a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant (i.e. privilege).
Freedom
Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants.
He exercised his freedom of speech during the protest.
Liberty
The condition of being free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor.
Freedom
Freedom encompasses political, personal, and economic domains.
Economic freedom allows for open markets and trade.
Liberty
The condition of being free from oppressive restriction or control by a government or other power.
Freedom
Freedom, generally, is having the ability to act or change without constraint. Something is "free" if it can change easily and is not constrained in its present state.
Liberty
A right to engage in certain actions without control or interference by a government or other power
The liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
Freedom
The condition of not being in prison or captivity
Gave the prisoners their freedom.
Liberty
The right or power to act as one chooses
"Her upcountry isolation ... gave her the liberty to be what she wanted to be, free of the pressure of spotlights and literary fashions" (Lucinda Franks).
Freedom
The condition of being free of restraints, especially the ability to act without control or interference by another or by circumstance
In retirement they finally got the freedom to travel.
Liberty
A breach or overstepping of propriety or social convention
"I'd leave her with a little kiss on the cheek—I never took liberties" (Harold Pinter).
Freedom
The condition of not being controlled by another nation or political power; political independence.
Liberty
A departure from strict compliance
Took several liberties with the recipe.
Freedom
The condition of not being subject to a despotic or oppressive power; civil liberty.
Liberty
A deviation from accepted truth or known fact
A historical novel that takes liberties with chronology.
Freedom
The condition of not being constrained or restricted in a specific aspect of life by a government or other power
Freedom of assembly.
Liberty
An unwarranted risk; a chance
Took foolish liberties on the ski slopes.
Freedom
The condition of not being a slave.
Liberty
A period, usually short, during which a sailor is authorized to go ashore.
Freedom
The condition of not being affected or restricted by a given circumstance or condition
Freedom from want.
Liberty
The condition of being free from control or restrictions.
The army is here, your liberty is assured.
Freedom
The condition of not being bound by established conventions or rules
The new style of painting gave artists new freedoms.
Liberty
The condition of being free from imprisonment, slavery or forced labour.
The prisoners gained their liberty from an underground tunnel.
Freedom
The capacity to act by choice rather than by determination, as from fate or a deity; free will
We have the freedom to do as we please all afternoon.
Liberty
The condition of being free to act, believe or express oneself as one chooses.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Freedom
The right to unrestricted use; full access
Was given the freedom of their research facilities.
Liberty
Freedom from excessive government control.
Freedom
Ease or facility of movement
Loose sports clothing, giving the wearer freedom.
Liberty
A short period when a sailor is allowed ashore.
We're going on a three-day liberty as soon as we dock.
Freedom
(Archaic) Boldness in behavior; lack of modesty or reserve.
Liberty
(often plural) A breach of social convention.
You needn't take such liberties.
Freedom
(uncountable) The state of being free, of not being imprisoned or enslaved.
Having recently been released from prison, he didn't know what to do with his newfound freedom.
Liberty
(historical) A local division of government administration in medieval England.
Freedom
(countable) The lack of a specific constraint, or of constraints in general; a state of being free, unconstrained.
Freedom of speech is a basic democratic value.
People in our city enjoy many freedoms.
Every child has a right to freedom from fear and freedom from want.
Liberty
(game of go) An empty space next to a group of stones of the same color.
Freedom
The right or privilege of unrestricted use or access
Freedom of a city
Liberty
The state of a free person; exemption from subjection to the will of another claiming ownership of the person or services; freedom; - opposed to slavery, serfdom, bondage, or subjection.
But ye . . . caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid whom he had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection.
Delivered fro the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
Freedom
Frankness; openness; unreservedness.
Liberty
Freedom from imprisonment, bonds, or other restraint upon locomotion.
Being pent from liberty, as I am now.
Freedom
Improper familiarity; violation of the rules of decorum.
Liberty
A privilege conferred by a superior power; permission granted; leave; as, liberty given to a child to play, or to a witness to leave a court, and the like.
Freedom
The state of being free; exemption from the power and control of another; liberty; independence.
Made captive, yet deserving freedom more.
Liberty
Privilege; exemption; franchise; immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant; as, the liberties of the commercial cities of Europe.
His majesty gave not an entire county to any; much less did he grant . . . any extraordinary liberties.
Freedom
Privileges; franchises; immunities.
Your charter and your caty's freedom.
Liberty
The place within which certain immunities are enjoyed, or jurisdiction is exercised.
Brought forth into some public or open place within the liberty of the city, and there . . . burned.
Freedom
Exemption from necessity, in choise and action; as, the freedom of the will.
Liberty
A certain amount of freedom; permission to go freely within certain limits; also, the place or limits within which such freedom is exercised; as, the liberties of a prison.
Freedom
Ease; facility; as, he speaks or acts with freedom.
Liberty
A privilege or license in violation of the laws of etiquette or propriety; as, to permit, or take, a liberty.
He was repeatedly provoked into striking those who had taken liberties with him.
Freedom
Frankness; openness; unreservedness.
I emboldened spake and freedom used.
Liberty
The power of choice; freedom from necessity; freedom from compulsion or constraint in willing.
The idea of liberty is the idea of a power in any agent to do or forbear any particular action, according to the determination or thought of the mind, whereby either of them is preferred to the other.
This liberty of judgment did not of necessity lead to lawlessness.
Freedom
Improper familiarity; violation of the rules of decorum; license.
Liberty
A curve or arch in a bit to afford room for the tongue of the horse.
Freedom
Generosity; liberality.
Liberty
Leave of absence; permission to go on shore.
Freedom
The condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
Liberty
Immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence
Freedom
Immunity from an obligation or duty
Liberty
Freedom of choice;
Liberty of opinion
Liberty of worship
Liberty--perfect liberty--to think or feel or do just as one pleases
At liberty to choose whatever occupation one wishes
Freedom
Freedom means the absence of constraint or coercion.
They lived a life of freedom in the countryside, away from societal norms.
Liberty
Personal freedom from servitude or confinement or oppression
Freedom
Freedom is the condition of being free from restrictions or inhibitions.
Artistic freedom allows for creative expression without limitations.
Liberty
Leave granted to a sailor or naval officer
Liberty
An act of undue intimacy
Liberty
Liberty is the state of being free within a society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority.
They fought for the liberty to vote and participate in governance.
Liberty
Liberty often emphasizes the role of governance in enabling freedom.
The nation was founded on principles of liberty and justice.
Liberty
Liberty can be restricted by laws for societal benefits.
In times of war, some liberties may be curtailed for national security.
Liberty
Liberty refers to both collective and individual freedoms enabled by a system.
The notion of liberty encompasses both civil liberties and economic freedoms.
Common Curiosities
Are there types of Liberty?
Yes, liberty can be divided into categories like civil liberties and economic liberties.
Is Freedom absolute?
Freedom is rarely absolute, as societal norms and laws usually impose some constraints.
What is Liberty?
Liberty is the state of being free within a structured society with laws and governance.
Is Liberty the same as Freedom?
While similar, liberty is often specific to a legal or political context, whereas freedom is broader.
How is Liberty obtained?
Liberty is usually obtained through legal and social systems that protect individual rights.
Why is Liberty important?
Liberty is essential for the functioning of democratic societies and for the protection of individual rights.
Can Freedom be restricted?
Freedom can be restricted by societal norms, laws, and other forms of governance.
Does Liberty always include Freedom?
Generally, liberty enables certain freedoms but within the structure of laws and governance.
What is Freedom?
Freedom is the absence of constraints, allowing individuals to act, think, or speak as they wish.
Can Liberty be restricted?
Liberty can be curtailed or restricted by law for societal benefits, such as public safety.
Does Freedom always include Liberty?
Freedom can exist without liberty when there's an absence of any form of constraints or governance.
Are there types of Freedom?
Yes, freedom can be categorized as political, personal, and economic among others.
How is Freedom obtained?
Freedom is often a state of being and can exist or be obtained in the absence of constraints.
Why is Freedom important?
Freedom is important for personal development, self-expression, and well-being.
Can Liberty exist without Freedom?
Liberty without freedom is generally considered an oxymoron, as liberty entails certain freedoms within a societal structure.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
