as in emancipation
the act of setting free from slavery
a human rights group that works tirelessly for the freeing of political prisoners all over the world
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in liberating
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
a global crusade to free Nelson Mandela from a South African prison had emerged
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2
as in opening
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
we'll free the river by breaking up the ice jam
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3
as in clearing
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way
would you mind freeing up the work area so I can work?
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4
as in relieving
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a phone call would free your parents from worry
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5
as in saving
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
this plan should free us from debt
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of freeing
Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
By all means, this committee should aim to commemorate the freeing of slaves, Moore acknowledged, once the nationalists had taken over in earnest.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
The ceasefire offer would see the freeing of some hostages held by Hamas, the freeing of Palestinians held in prison by Israel, continuation of talks over a longer-term truce and the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from parts of Gaza.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 21 Aug. 2025
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 29 Mar. 2026
After freeing a man who was convicted in a pizza delivery driver’s slaying, the state’s Parole Board has rejected releasing an accomplice who fatally stabbed the food courier.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Authorities said bystanders began CPR before first responders arrived, and rescue crews spent more than an hour freeing one person trapped in the wreckage.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
Mayra Mendez, the executive director of Clean Power Lake County, which sponsored a Home Savings Workshop with CUB, said people can find a variety of ways to save money on their utility bills, freeing funds for gasoline as those prices increase.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Boats from the coast guard and the fire department passed by, creating large waves in the hope of freeing the animal — but also without success, German public broadcaster NDR reported.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Their appeal derives from the blockchain packaging, which lets holders settle trades instantly, freeing up collateral.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
Homan said immigration officers, as an example, could cover exits currently monitored by TSA agents, freeing them to work screening lines.
—Seung Min Kim, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
The move to a summer-to-spring calendar aims to put MLS in a more competitive position for player transfers, while also freeing up its players for national team duties during the summer, when many major international tournaments take place.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
Jews celebrate the freeing of Israelite slaves from Egypt and Moses guiding them to the Promised Land.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
By all means, this committee should aim to commemorate the freeing of slaves, Moore acknowledged, once the nationalists had taken over in earnest.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
The ceasefire offer would see the freeing of some hostages held by Hamas, the freeing of Palestinians held in prison by Israel, continuation of talks over a longer-term truce and the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from parts of Gaza.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
Several years later, then-President Abraham Lincoln, a member of the Republican Party, issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, freeing all slaves living in Confederate states who were against the Union.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 29 Mar. 2026
After freeing a man who was convicted in a pizza delivery driver’s slaying, the state’s Parole Board has rejected releasing an accomplice who fatally stabbed the food courier.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Authorities said bystanders began CPR before first responders arrived, and rescue crews spent more than an hour freeing one person trapped in the wreckage.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
Mayra Mendez, the executive director of Clean Power Lake County, which sponsored a Home Savings Workshop with CUB, said people can find a variety of ways to save money on their utility bills, freeing funds for gasoline as those prices increase.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Boats from the coast guard and the fire department passed by, creating large waves in the hope of freeing the animal — but also without success, German public broadcaster NDR reported.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Their appeal derives from the blockchain packaging, which lets holders settle trades instantly, freeing up collateral.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
Homan said immigration officers, as an example, could cover exits currently monitored by TSA agents, freeing them to work screening lines.
—Seung Min Kim, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
The move to a summer-to-spring calendar aims to put MLS in a more competitive position for player transfers, while also freeing up its players for national team duties during the summer, when many major international tournaments take place.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for freeing
Noun
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Monumental Baptist Church is marking 200 years of service, a legacy that stretches back generations — long before emancipation and just decades after the nation's founding.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Some view these people’s unemployment as the beginning of their emancipation.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Today the artist, who is of Māori and Scottish descent, sees the irony of her first encounter — liberating the bird from a symbol of the culture that caused its demise.—
Tom Page,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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But is liberating to be able to laugh about such terrible things on screen.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His parents prospered, opening a fur shop called Paris-New York and moving to the tony Sixteenth Arrondissement.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Harris Theater for Music and Dance has announced its 2026-27 season of dance, music and theater, its 20th anniversary season in Millennium Park, opening with a visit from the Trisha Brown Dance Company in September.—
Doug George,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Heavy equipment is moving in March from east to west, still clearing the land.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That bottle of conventional weed killer in your garage is probably doing more than clearing dandelions.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Many agree that relieving economic distress must be an immediate focus, but while some believe that should entail a gradual, socialist-style liberalization of the economy, others want a total transition to free-market capitalism, including more foreign investment and private enterprise.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
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Here's what to know about the pain-relieving drug and what the legal landscape looks like in Oklahoma.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Hortas were horrified to learn that Tania Hernandez, the owner of the small house where their friend was going hungry, was a social services worker for the state charged with the mission of saving frail, elderly and disabled adults like Rabell.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Kane County Health Department has partnered with community organizations to install publicly accessible naloxone dispensing boxes, making the life-saving medication easier to obtain quickly and discreetly.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Another reorientation arrived in the seventies and eighties, in response to gay liberation, feminism, and greater workplace equality.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Like the Lenten journey, the onset of Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian servitude, the onset of a 40-year march homeward to the land of promise.—
Michael Pfleger,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So, while the video might look dramatic, having an emotional reaction after releasing physical tension is natural, said Watrous, who was not involved in Rimes' treatment.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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The data comes as Japan grapples with the fallout from the Iran war, with the country releasing oil stockpiles and enacting fuel subsidies to stave off the worst of the energy shock from the closed Strait of Hormuz.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Freeing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freeing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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