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 But liberating humans from work would also mean liberating them from their paychecks. Billy Perrigo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025 Steve Buckley argues that Maye has liberated the Patriots from their past with that scintillating win over the Bills on Sunday. Chris Branch, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 Blazy’s new silhouette for the house achieved exactly that by anchoring the form at the hips, liberating the upper body and waist, while enabling the skirts to emphasize the length of the leg and the amplitude of each step. Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025 But there was something liberating about the combination of maximum detail and minimum time. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberate
Verb
  • Lightning looms as winds threaten to push the tower over, but somehow the rescue team frees him from the wreckage to safety.
    Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The organization, which relies almost entirely on donations and volunteer fosters, is also calling attention to the overcrowding at local shelters and encourages people to adopt or foster animals to free up space, so more animals like Xiao Mao can get help.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Just this summer, in June, the board approved moving seventh- and eighth-grade students from yellow school buses to the Metro in a move that saves CPS almost $3 million per year.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
  • That is, aside from the hijinks of Trump trying to kill his unborn baby to save his nights at Mar-a-Lago.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • According to reports, the 49ers are releasing Marquez Valdes-Scantling with an injury settlement.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, large crowds of demonstrators gathered on Saturday, urging the government to pressure Hamas to release the bodies.
    Ibrahim Dahman, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Here’s how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600.
    Detroit Free Press Staff, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Over the course of the war, more than 150 hostages were freed during ceasefires, either in the first two or the current one, and more than a half dozen were rescued during Israeli operations in Gaza, The Washington Post noted.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile Oakland County first responders had to rescue a deer that made it to the median of Interstate 75 and then couldn't escape.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The driver had to be extricated and was taken to a hospital with unknown injuries, DPS officials added.
    Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • With a daintiness at odds with its 120 kilos, the bear extricates its wrist from the tie and calmly takes its leave.
    Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This is well over a dozen years before Black people are declared emancipated.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
  • In the Revolutionary War itself, Britain’s Lord Dunmore had emancipated large numbers of southern slaves as a war measure—a fact well-known in both the 1770s and the 1860s.
    Akhil Reed Amar, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rogé agreed that Gen Z is not disengaged but discerning.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
  • An emboldened Russia is confident that the U.S. intends to further disengage from European security, rather than to bolster support.
    The Guardian, Twin Cities, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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