free association

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“In the abstract, could it work? Sure,” Robert Riley, a former U.S. ambassador to Micronesia, said of a free association agreement with Greenland.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

The self-governing Cook Islands remain in "free association" with former colonial ruler New Zealand, which is still involved in areas such as defence and foreign affairs.

From Barron's • Dec. 2, 2025

Among those with positive feelings, according to a recent Hart Research poll, 42% support the current commonwealth status, 29% statehood, 11% free association, also called “sovereign commonwealth,” and 11% independence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

UN rights chief Volker Turk "renews his call on security forces to desist from unnecessary force and to uphold the rights to free association and peaceful assembly," it said.

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

His theory was that the problems of many troubled patients rested in forgotten psychic traumas, and through free association and the interpretation of dreams the key to the problems could be unlocked.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady