Liberty vs. Freedom: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Liberty is the state of being free within society, free from oppressive restrictions. Freedom, on the other hand, refers to the power to act, speak, or think without external constraints.
Key Differences
Liberty often implies the state of being free from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views. In contrast, Freedom is more broad, referring to the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
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Dec 06, 2023
Liberty can be seen as a right granted, often protected by law or societal norms, focusing on the aspect of freedom within a structured society. Freedom encompasses a more general, philosophical concept, referring to an individual's ability to make choices without external control.
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Dec 06, 2023
While Liberty is frequently associated with political and civil rights, such as freedom of speech or religion, Freedom extends to a wider range of contexts, including personal choices and lifestyles, emphasizing the absence of limitations or coercion in one's decisions.
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Dec 06, 2023
Liberty tends to be contextual and can vary based on laws, cultures, and societal norms, indicating a conditional state of being free. On the other hand, Freedom is more absolute, often considered an inherent human right, encompassing both physical and ideological aspects.
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Dec 06, 2023
In summary, Liberty is a specific form of freedom, usually pertaining to social and political spheres, safeguarded by laws and social contracts. Freedom is a more encompassing term, referring to the absence of subjection and the ability to exercise one's will in various aspects of life.
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Dec 06, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Freedom from oppressive restrictions in society.
The power to act, speak, or think freely.
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Dec 06, 2023
Context
Often legal or political.
Broad, including personal and philosophical aspects.
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Dec 06, 2023
Scope
Specific to a community or society.
Universal, concerning individual choice.
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Dec 06, 2023
Examples
Freedom of speech, right to vote.
Choosing a career, expressing personal beliefs.
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Dec 06, 2023
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Liberty and Freedom Definitions
Liberty
The power of choosing, thinking, and acting for oneself.
She relished her newfound liberty.
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Dec 06, 2023
Freedom
The power to act, speak, or think as one wants.
They fought for freedom of speech.
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Dec 06, 2023
Liberty
The condition of being free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The absence of subjection to foreign domination.
The country gained freedom from colonial rule.
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Dec 06, 2023
Liberty
The condition of being free from oppressive restriction or control by a government or other power.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Freedom
Unrestricted use of something.
She enjoyed the freedom of her friend's library.
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Dec 06, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The condition of not being in prison or captivity
Gave the prisoners their freedom.
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Oct 19, 2023
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).
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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).
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The condition of not being controlled by another nation or political power; political independence.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
A departure from strict compliance
Took several liberties with the recipe.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The condition of not being subject to a despotic or oppressive power; civil liberty.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
A deviation from accepted truth or known fact
A historical novel that takes liberties with chronology.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The condition of not being constrained or restricted in a specific aspect of life by a government or other power
Freedom of assembly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
An unwarranted risk; a chance
Took foolish liberties on the ski slopes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
A period, usually short, during which a sailor is authorized to go ashore.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The condition of not being affected or restricted by a given circumstance or condition
Freedom from want.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
The condition of being free from control or restrictions.
The army is here, your liberty is assured.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The condition of not being bound by established conventions or rules
The new style of painting gave artists new freedoms.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
The condition of being free from imprisonment, slavery or forced labour.
The prisoners gained their liberty from an underground tunnel.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The right to unrestricted use; full access
Was given the freedom of their research facilities.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
Ease or facility of movement
Loose sports clothing, giving the wearer freedom.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
A short period when a sailor is allowed ashore.
We're going on a three-day liberty as soon as we dock.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
(often plural) A breach of social convention.
You needn't take such liberties.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
(historical) A local division of government administration in medieval England.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
(game of go) An empty space next to a group of stones of the same color.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The right or privilege of unrestricted use or access
Freedom of a city
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
Freedom from imprisonment, bonds, or other restraint upon locomotion.
Being pent from liberty, as I am now.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The state of being free; exemption from the power and control of another; liberty; independence.
Made captive, yet deserving freedom more.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
Privileges; franchises; immunities.
Your charter and your caty's freedom.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
Exemption from necessity, in choise and action; as, the freedom of the will.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
Frankness; openness; unreservedness.
I emboldened spake and freedom used.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
A curve or arch in a bit to afford room for the tongue of the horse.
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
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Oct 19, 2023
Liberty
Immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Freedom
The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.
The bird flew away to freedom.
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Dec 06, 2023
Freedom
The state of being unrestricted and able to move easily.
The open road offered him freedom.
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Dec 06, 2023
Liberty
The state of being free within a society from oppressive restrictions.
The constitution guarantees individual liberties.
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Dec 06, 2023
Liberty
A right or privilege, especially a statutory one.
The liberty of holding public meetings.
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Dec 06, 2023
Liberty
Freedom from captivity or detention.
He was released from prison on liberty.
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Dec 06, 2023
Liberty
A period of time when one is not required to be at work.
The sailors were ashore on liberty.
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Dec 06, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is Liberty?
Liberty is the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions.
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Dec 06, 2023
Are Liberty and Freedom always legal concepts?
Liberty often has legal connotations, while freedom is a broader concept not always defined by law.
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Dec 06, 2023
What is Freedom?
Freedom is the power to act, speak, or think without external constraints.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can Liberty exist without democracy?
Liberty can exist in various forms of governance, but it's typically more prominent in democracies.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is Freedom always positive?
Freedom can have negative aspects if it leads to harm or injustice.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is Freedom an absolute right?
Freedom is not absolute and can be limited for various reasons like public safety.
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Dec 06, 2023
Does Freedom mean having no responsibilities?
No, freedom often comes with responsibilities and duties.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is Liberty the same as Freedom?
No, liberty is a specific type of freedom, often relating to social or political rights.
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Dec 06, 2023
Do all countries have the same liberties?
Liberties vary widely across different countries and cultures.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can you have Freedom without Liberty?
Yes, one can have personal freedom without the specific liberties granted by society.
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Dec 06, 2023
Does Freedom include the right to do anything?
Freedom is subject to limitations, especially when actions infringe on others' rights.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can Liberty be taken away?
Yes, liberties can be restricted or revoked, often in legal contexts.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can societal norms affect Liberty?
Yes, societal norms can greatly influence the extent and nature of liberties.
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Dec 06, 2023
What’s an example of Liberty?
An example of liberty is the right to free speech.
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Dec 06, 2023
What’s an example of Freedom?
An example of freedom is choosing one's career path.
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Dec 06, 2023
How is Liberty protected?
Liberty is often protected by laws, constitutions, and societal norms.
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Dec 06, 2023
Does Liberty require societal structure?
Yes, liberty often functions within the context of societal structures.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is Freedom the same in all cultures?
The concept and extent of freedom can vary greatly across cultures.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can you lose Freedom?
Yes, freedom can be lost due to various circumstances, like imprisonment.
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Dec 06, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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