Synonym Chooser

How does the verb liberate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of liberate are emancipate, free, manumit, and release. While all these words mean "to set loose from restraint or constraint," liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty.

liberated their country from the tyrant

When would emancipate be a good substitute for liberate?

In some situations, the words emancipate and liberate are roughly equivalent. However, emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection or domination.

labor-saving devices emancipated us from household drudgery

Where would free be a reasonable alternative to liberate?

The words free and liberate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, free implies a usually permanent removal from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses.

freed the animals from their cages

When could manumit be used to replace liberate?

The meanings of manumit and liberate largely overlap; however, manumit implies emancipation from slavery.

the document manumitted the slaves

When is it sensible to use release instead of liberate?

The words release and liberate can be used in similar contexts, but release suggests a setting loose from confinement, restraint, or a state of pressure or tension, often without implication of permanent liberation.

released his anger on a punching bag

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of liberate At the start of the month, Saturn will harmonize with your modern ruler, Uranus — activating your second house of finances and fourth house of home — supporting your desire for stability, and liberating you from stagnant energies. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025 Bernstein demanded that Vienna, and Europe in general, acknowledge what both America and Mahler meant to the 20th century—the century that the Europeans had played such a dreadful part in and that the Americans had helped liberate from infamy. David Denby, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025 In one recent example, once liberated from real-world complexities, a global pharmaceutical CEO quickly focused on the fact that his company’s internal resources were not properly allocated to its greatest business opportunities. David Michels, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Women are finding building businesses as a way to step ahead in their financial lives, as well as to liberate themselves from what could feel like a glass box for many. Alejandra Rojas, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberate
Verb
  • By eliminating or at least reducing manual, error-prone processes, these applications free up finance teams to focus on strategic initiatives like scaling operations and optimizing capital allocation.
    Carlos Vega, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But the original poster disagreed, arguing that the line was in fact freeing.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • If projections around the tariffs’ impact are correct, then getting some shopping done now could save you time and money later.
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 10 Apr. 2025
  • California family discusses ongoing legal and political battle to 'save girls' sports' as issue heats up Taylor and Ryan Starling of Riverside, California discussed their ongoing lawsuit over trans inclusion in girls' sports, speaking at the state capital and all the fallout that has come with it.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Glory in Your Story: Activating a Fearless Faith to Change Your Life, Your Career, and the World, is set to release on April 15, wherever books are sold.
    Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
  • With McCaffrey sharing carries with Stewart as a rookie, the Panthers made the playoffs in 2017 before releasing Stewart a couple of months later.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Raise your status to redeem better bonuses and discounts for traveling. NHL fans can find a Hat Trick Jackpot.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Customers may redeem a free Ben & Jerry's scoop of their choice, cone included, at any participating Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop on Free Cone Day.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Hundreds had to be rescued, and most of the deaths were caused by vehicles getting stuck in high water.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • All five people were rescued and transported to Bay Area Hospital with minor injuries.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Firefighters had to extricate the man, who was not wearing a seatbelt, authorities said.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Police said that Johnson was extricated from her car using the jaws of life and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Jefferson later maintained that any decision to emancipate slaves must be part of a democratic process and not handed down by, say, executive order.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
  • At the age of 14, Culkin emancipated himself from his parents.
    Janelle Ash, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Transatlantic relations between the US and the EU are strained, marked by acute friction, while the US disengages from several UN agencies, signaling a retreat from global cooperation.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • About three minutes after the pilot was told to descend to 4,000 feet at his discretion, the autopilot disengaged at 99 knots, then dropped within seconds to 70 knots and was at about 3,100 feet, the report says.
    CBS News, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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