liberate

verb

lib·​er·​ate ˈli-bə-ˌrāt 

liberated; liberating

transitive verb

1

: to set at liberty : free

specifically : to free (something, such as a country) from domination by a foreign power

2

: to free from combination

liberate the gas by adding acid

3

: to take or take over illegally or unjustly

… material liberated from a nearby construction site.

—Thorne Dreyer

liberator

ˈli-bə-ˌrā-tər 

noun

liberatory

ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Synonyms of liberate

• free
• release
• rescue
• save
• emancipate
• enfranchise
• loosen

Choose the Right Synonym for liberate

free, release, liberate, emancipate, manumit mean to set loose from restraint or constraint.

free implies a usually permanent removal from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses.

freed the animals from their cages

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

liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty.

liberated their country from the tyrant

emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection or domination.

labor-saving devices emancipated us from household drudgery

manumit implies emancipation from slavery.

the document manumitted the slaves

Examples of liberate in a Sentence

Rebels fought to liberate the country.

Soldiers liberated the hostages from their captors.

Laptop computers could liberate workers from their desks.

He was using materials that he had liberated from a construction site.

Recent Examples on the Web

American soldiers liberated the camp months later, finding Haller at just 55 pounds and very sick. —Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026

The smiles, according to experts on Buddhism and Buddhist art, suggest a realization of truth, and the legs represent a transition into action, to liberate all sentient beings. —Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 11 June 2026

KatzPascale’s entire modus operandi now is to liberate the process. —Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026

Soccer was always front and center during the three years before Mahler was liberated in 1945. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin līberātus, past participle of līberāre "to give free status to (a slave), release from restraint," derivative of līber "free" — more at liberal entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for liberate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

liberate

verb

lib·​er·​ate ˈlib-ə-ˌrāt 

liberated; liberating

: to set free

liberator

-ˌrāt-ər 

noun