emancipate

verb

eman·​ci·​pate i-ˈman(t)-sə-ˌpāt 

emancipated; emancipating

transitive verb

1

: to free from restraint, control, or the power of another

especially : to free from bondage

2

: to release from parental care and responsibility and make sui juris

3

: to free from any controlling influence (such as traditional mores or beliefs)

emancipator

i-ˈman(t)-sə-ˌpā-tər 

noun

emancipatory

i-ˈman(t)-sə-pə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• discharge
• disenthrall
• disenthral
• enfranchise
• enlarge
• free
• liberate
• loose
• loosen
• manumit
• release
• spring
• unbind
• uncage
• unchain
• unfetter

Choose the Right Synonym for emancipate

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 emancipate in a Sentence

He felt the only way to emancipate himself from his parents was to move away.

under the cover of darkness animal rights activists emancipated the inhabitants of the mink ranch

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Williams joined the cast of Dawson's Creek as Jen Lindley at age 16 — just one year after she was legally emancipated and living on her own in Los Angeles. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 May 2025

Williams scored her breakout role at age 16 as Jen Lindley in Dawson’s Creek, shortly after becoming legally emancipated and living on her own in Los Angeles. —Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin emancipatus, past participle of emancipare, from e- + mancipare to transfer ownership of, from mancip-, manceps contractor, from manus hand + capere to take — more at manual, heave entry 1

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for emancipate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

emancipate

verb

eman·​ci·​pate i-ˈman(t)-sə-ˌpāt 

emancipated; emancipating

: to free from someone else's control or power

especially : to free from bondage

emancipation

-ˌman(t)-sə-ˈpā-shən

noun

emancipator

-ˈman(t)-sə-ˌpāt-ər 

noun

emancipatory

-ˈman(t)-sə-pə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-ē

adjective

Legal Definition

emancipate

transitive verb

eman·​ci·​pate i-ˈman-sə-ˌpāt 

emancipated; emancipating

1

: to free from restraint, control, or the power of another

especially : to free from bondage

emancipated the slaves

compare enfranchise

2

: to release from the care, responsibility, and control of one's parents compare age of majority, legal age

Note: The circumstances under which a minor may become emancipated vary from state to state. In many states, however, the marriage of a minor results in his or her emancipation.