free thought
noun
: unorthodox attitudes or beliefs
specifically : 18th century deism
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web For his fans and friends, the fact that Rushdie was attacked in such a quiet place dedicated to the art of writing and free thought is certainly reason for pause. 
CBS News, 14 Aug. 2022 That's because everything Xi has implemented at home has been to stifle free thought, not unleash it. Ian Johnson, CNN, 9 Mar. 2022 The Biden administration is governing from the far-left, ignoring the problems of working-class Americans while pushing an agenda that stifles free speech, free thought, and economic freedom. Chelsey Cox, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2022 The dissident movement that took the Red Square demonstrators as an inspiration, though never large in numbers, was a powerful generator of free thought and possibility. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2022 In a speech to the Secular Student Alliance in 2013, Kirkhart said that an atheist’s devotion to free thought should be equal to or greater than a religious person’s devotion to God. Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2021 The efforts made by the university to instruct professors to limit free thought and free speech in the classroom are deeply concerning and blatantly unconstitutional. Kiara Kincaid, National Review, 2 July 2021 While some writers, publishers and booksellers say the law curtails free thought and expression in Hungary, the country's second-largest bookstore chain, Lira Konyv, posted the advisory notices to be safe. Justin Spike, ajc, 16 July 2021 While some writers, publishers and booksellers say the law curtails free thought and expression in Hungary, the country's second-largest bookstore chain, Lira Konyv, posted the advisory notices to be safe. Justin Spike, Star Tribune, 16 July 2021 See More
CBS News, 14 Aug. 2022 That's because everything Xi has implemented at home has been to stifle free thought, not unleash it. Ian Johnson, CNN, 9 Mar. 2022 The Biden administration is governing from the far-left, ignoring the problems of working-class Americans while pushing an agenda that stifles free speech, free thought, and economic freedom. Chelsey Cox, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2022 The dissident movement that took the Red Square demonstrators as an inspiration, though never large in numbers, was a powerful generator of free thought and possibility. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2022 In a speech to the Secular Student Alliance in 2013, Kirkhart said that an atheist’s devotion to free thought should be equal to or greater than a religious person’s devotion to God. Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2021 The efforts made by the university to instruct professors to limit free thought and free speech in the classroom are deeply concerning and blatantly unconstitutional. Kiara Kincaid, National Review, 2 July 2021 While some writers, publishers and booksellers say the law curtails free thought and expression in Hungary, the country's second-largest bookstore chain, Lira Konyv, posted the advisory notices to be safe. Justin Spike, ajc, 16 July 2021 While some writers, publishers and booksellers say the law curtails free thought and expression in Hungary, the country's second-largest bookstore chain, Lira Konyv, posted the advisory notices to be safe. Justin Spike, Star Tribune, 16 July 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1711, in the meaning defined above