laissez-faire

[les-ey fair, le-sey fer] / ˌlɛs eɪ ˈfɛər, lɛ seɪ ˈfɛr /

NOUN

abstention from interference

Synonyms

WEAK

do-nothing policy for the most free enterprise free hand inaction indifference individualism laisser aller laisser passer latitude let-alone policy live and let live neutrality noninterference nonintervention nonrestriction part unrestrained by law free trade permissiveness

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.

Concerns over this phenomenon have upended the White House’s AI strategy, and caused it to re-evaluate its laissez-faire approach to AI development.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The private-college sector didn’t rise in a laissez-faire market.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Polymarket has taken a more laissez-faire approach to inside information.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

It’s a get-in-where-you-fit-in or get-edged-all-the-way-out kind of city, wherein a deceptively laissez-faire game of musical chairs can determine your fate.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

Appealing though this laissez-faire undoubtedly was, especially for amateur musicians, it resulted in instrumental music that did not make great demands on players, their instruments, or indeed composers.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Vocabulary lists containing laissez-faire

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