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 enslaved men

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

The Cybertruck will cease production in the middle of 2027, liberating that space in Tesla’s cavernous factory for other uses—more Cybercabs, most likely. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026

Gutiérrez and like-minded theologians argued that Christians have a moral duty to liberate the oppressed. — Eben Levey, The Conversation, 6 Nov. 2026

While reminiscing during the July reunion, a reflective Epstein described feeling liberated after the Cubs returned from Cleveland with the World Series trophy in hand. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

After Ukrainian forces liberated it, Kozatske gradually came under siege by drones as the war turned increasingly technological. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 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