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 Moretti adapted Nevo’s short story collection together with co-screenwriters Federica Pontremoli and Valia Santella, intertwining the book’s separate stories about the various bonds — familial, political, social and romantic — that both restrict and liberate, into a single narrative. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025 To Andreessen and like-minded leaders, AI development should be liberated from cautionary restraints to accelerate development and diffusion. Robert C. Wolcott, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 What made the Annecy sneak peek feel truly special was how deeply personal, funny and creatively liberated the project is. Jamie Lang, Variety, 14 June 2025 By the end of the session in August, Congress codified a process for Butler-like actions by army officers to assume jurisdiction over any enslaved people who liberated themselves by sneaking into Union lines. Zaakir Tameez june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liberate
Verb
  • Philip Andrew Douglass, 42, was freed on bond after an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 21 June 2025
  • Short of the savings being placed in a much bigger coffee can, government spending cuts born of efficiency, headcount reduction, mandate reduction, or all three would have just freed up money for Congress to spend in new ways.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Sabalenka, one of the favorites to lift the Wimbledon title this year, had saved four match points in a tiebreak to escape 2022 champion Elena Rybakina the previous day, one of them coming via a fortunate net cord.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • But, as President Zelensky noted at the G7 summit, additional funding from allies to speed the development and production process could save a lot of lives.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • For every container of fireworks arriving at a U.S. port, importers must pay the tariff upfront, before customs even thinks about releasing the goods.
    Richard Howells, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Lyons was released from Tottenham’s youth system at age 16 and fell into depression before dying by suicide 10 years later.
    Colin Millar, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Last Verified On June 22, 2025 Information Confirmed By Newsweek All of these offers are easy to redeem with the Fanatics Sportsbook promo offer.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
  • Scooter's Coffee offers BOGO deal on Father's Day Scooter's Coffee customers can redeem a buy one, get one drink offer on Sunday, June 15 in the Scooter's Coffee mobile app.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • For one prospective graduate student, an admission to Harvard’s Graduate School of Education had rescued her educational dreams.
    Sara Braun, Fortune, 21 June 2025
  • The people rescued have included families, veterans and college students.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The trooper extricated himself from the cruiser, and drivers were pulling over to help him.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 5 June 2025
  • Emergency personnel extricated the man from the vehicle, and he was pronounced dead.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • This kept their traditions alive until their ancestors were emancipated in the 1860s.
    Ben Abrams, NPR, 19 June 2025
  • Urging Lincoln to now issue an executive order for emancipating the slaves, Sumner was firmly rebuffed.
    Zaakir Tameez June 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • Most Black women – 67% – have disengaged from the news entirely just to protect their peace—a striking act of self-preservation in a country that expects Black women to keep pushing without pause.
    Essence, Essence, 17 June 2025
  • This understanding identifies key influence moments and potential friction points where prospects might disengage.
    Maria Youth, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberate. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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