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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
unfettered
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"unfettered" is a correct and usable word in written English.
An example sentence would be: "The child grew up without any fetters, living an unfettered life." As a verb, unfettered means to set free or to unshackle, while as an adjective it describes something that is unrestricted or released from bonds.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
For the second year in a row, a young American whistleblower alarmed at the unfettered and at times cynical deployment of power by the world's foremost superpower has been voted the Guardian's person of the year.
News & Media
Perhaps they know they are on shaky ground, blamed by many for vastly underestimating the consequences of allowing Poland and other new EU countries unfettered access to the employment market after they joined the union in 2004.
News & Media
"I don't think she demonstrated it in the race against [Barack] Obama in 2008," Burling said, adding that Sanders would contrast with Clinton because "he can speak with unfettered passion".
News & Media
Will the NAO have unfettered access to the BBC?
News & Media
For "globalists" such as myself, this truth highlights the need for Britain, unfettered by membership of the EU's Customs Union, to develop trade agreements with fast-growing countries in the global economy.
News & Media
The famously unfettered Conservative minister Alan Clark refashioned that formula later, putting it up a notch or two in the mendacity league by telling the Matrix Churchill hearing on arms sales to Iraq that in answering parliamentary questions he'd been "economical with the actualité" – an answer honest enough to cause the trial to collapse.
News & Media
Environmentalists are concerned that a vote, which could come as early as Tuesday, may now turn the clocks back to a time before the IWC considered the environmental impacts of unfettered exploitation of the world's marine reserves.
News & Media
Miranda may have been carrying digital copies of secret documents made available to Laura Poitras and his partner Glenn Greenwald, but that does not make him a credible suspect in an investigation into terrorism, except to a paranoid state whose laws have been written to allow the security services unfettered power to detain and investigate anything they consider threatening.
News & Media
It says: Concerted and effective pressure must be exerted on the Syrian authorities to allow UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations unfettered access to IDPs [internally displaced persons] and others in need throughout the country, including allowing cross-border access to the relevant areas from other countries, as well as across front lines within Syria.
News & Media
Bangladesh's current plan acknowledges unfettered activity of food and beverage companies as a source of the problem, but its strategies are clearly about health promotion for lifestyle change and access to health care – both squarely reliant on individual behaviour.
News & Media
And sugar and alcohol are clearly supernormal stimuli, so we're continuing to debate and adjust our rules and societal norms about who gets unfettered access to them, what good limits are, and how often these things should appear in a "good life".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "unfettered", consider the specific type of restriction being absent. Is it a physical restraint, a legal limitation, or a social convention? Choose synonyms that accurately reflect the nuance you intend to convey.
Common error
While "unfettered" is a valid word, overuse can make writing sound overly dramatic or verbose. Opt for simpler alternatives like "unrestricted" or "free" in less formal contexts to maintain clarity and conciseness.
Source & Trust
91%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "unfettered" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a state of being free from restrictions or limitations. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from reputable sources.
Frequent in
News & Media
97%
Formal & Business
1%
Science
1%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "unfettered" is a grammatically correct adjective signifying freedom from constraints, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is very common in written English, particularly within News & Media contexts. While versatile, careful selection of synonyms based on context is advised. Use "unfettered" when you want to highlight the lack of limitation, but be mindful of potential over-formality. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in describing both positive freedoms and potential risks associated with a lack of control. Top sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ this term.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
unrestricted
Focuses on the absence of specific limitations or regulations.
unrestrained
Implies a lack of control or moderation, suggesting a potential for excess.
unchecked
Highlights the absence of monitoring or oversight, often with negative implications.
unimpeded
Emphasizes the lack of obstacles or hindrances.
unhindered
Similar to unimpeded, but may suggest a more active removal of obstacles.
untrammeled
A more formal and literary synonym for unfettered, suggesting freedom from constraints.
free
A general term indicating absence of external control or constraint.
uncontrolled
Focuses on the lack of management or regulation, sometimes implying chaos.
unbridled
Implies a powerful and potentially dangerous lack of restraint.
without constraints
A more descriptive alternative, explicitly stating the absence of limitations.
FAQs
How can I use "unfettered" in a sentence?
You can use "unfettered" to describe something that is not restrained or limited, such as "unfettered access" or "unfettered creativity". For example: "The artist displayed "unfettered creativity" in her latest exhibit."
What are some alternatives to "unfettered"?
Some alternatives to "unfettered" include "unrestricted", "unrestrained", and "unimpeded". The best choice depends on the specific context.
What is the difference between "unfettered" and "unrestrained"?
"Unfettered" typically implies the removal of external constraints, while "unrestrained" suggests a lack of internal control or moderation. For example, one might have "unfettered access" to information but display "unrestrained enthusiasm".
Is it correct to use "unfettered" in a business context?
Yes, "unfettered" can be used in a business context to describe something that is free from limitations or regulations. For instance, you might speak of "unfettered competition" within a market.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
91%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested