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
  • But the pending Senate bill keeps the door wide open, effectively freeing very wealthy business owners from any cap on their SALT deductions.
    Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Protests in Israel also resumed after a two-week pause during the Israel-Iran war, with demonstrators demanding a deal that would free the hostages still in Gaza.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • According to The Vail Daily, volunteer rescuers across Colorado responded to at least four missions during June to save dogs.
    Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 1 July 2025
  • While gymnasts are flying inside a venue during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Archer Aviation electric air taxis will be flitting through the air above the area saving athletes, VIPs, guests and myriad others from performing brutal traffic acrobatics to get from place-to-place.
    Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Devil May Cry, an anime adaptation of the classic video game franchise, was released on Netflix April 3.
    Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 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
  • This promo from Caesars Sportsbook is easy to redeem.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
  • And once a company goes public, users can redeem their tokens for the market equivalent in a stablecoin.
    Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Another group, Project Dynamo, which had rescued Americans evacuating Afghanistan in 2021, used its connections to fly a group of touring veterans from Israel to Miami.
    David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
  • In return, prosecutors alleged, Madigan used his influence over the General Assembly to help ComEd score a series of huge legislative victories that not only rescued the company from financial instability but led to record-breaking, billion-dollar profits.
    Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 30 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
  • The South American liberation leader Simón Bolívar emancipated the slave laborers who worked on his family’s estate—unlike George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
    Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
  • Kate Hudson considered being emancipated from her parents, Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson, to better her Hollywood career.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • That aligns with what the cybersecurity data shows: professionals disengage when forced to hide parts of themselves.
    Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • State police disengaged pursuit but was able to get the vehicle’s registration information.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liberate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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