carte blanche

[kahrt blanch, blahnch, kart blahnsh] / ˈkɑrt ˈblæntʃ, ˈblɑntʃ, kart ˈblɑ̃ʃ /

NOUN

complete authority

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blank check free rein latitude power of attorney

WEAK

authority franchise free hand freedom full authority full power grant leeway license no holds barred permission prerogative sanction say say-so unconditional authority unconditional right unrestricted authority warrant

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.

Immigration agents, I noted, were acting as though they had carte blanche to detain people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, conducting raids that sometimes swept up American citizens.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Did you discuss the strategy and tax impact with him ahead of time and/or did you give him carte blanche to make these kinds of decisions on your behalf?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Triggering the administration’s nuclear response on Friday was Anthropic’s high-handed refusal to give the Defense Department carte blanche to use its technology as it sees fit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Giving the government carte blanche to carry out the worst possible use cases of A.I. would clear up the issue quickly and reveal Anthropic’s moral value proposition to be a lie.

From Slate • Feb. 25, 2026

Thus he could fall asleep that night untroubled by the nightmare that he had given Crick carte blanche for another foray into frenzied inconsiderateness.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

carte blanche

Example Sentences

Related Words