Synonyms of liberate

liberate

verb

ˈli-bə-ˌrāt 

1

as in to free

to set free (as from slavery or confinement)

the animal rightists snuck into the laboratory in the middle of the night to liberate all of the monkeys

Synonyms & Similar Words

• free
• release
• rescue
• save
• emancipate
• enfranchise
• loosen
• manumit
• unbind
• loose
• enlarge
• unchain
• unfetter
• turn loose
• spring
• uncage
• discharge
• disenthrall
• disenthral
• extricate
• redeem
• ransom
• bail (out)
• disengage
• disentangle
• deliver
• parole
• unshackle
• disencumber
• disembarrass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confine
• restrain
• bind
• fetter
• jail
• shackle
• imprison
• enchain
• commit
• handcuff
• incarcerate
• lock (up)
• conquer
• subjugate
• enslave
• subdue
• trammel
• intern
• manacle
• immure

2

as in to save

to set free from entanglement or difficulty

we were liberated from our financial woes when we hit the grand prize in the lottery

Synonyms & Similar Words

• free
• save
• redeem
• extricate
• rescue
• disengage
• release
• disentangle
• cut loose
• untangle
• disembarrass
• clear
• deliver
• unburden
• unravel
• untie
• disencumber
• disburden
• unsnarl
• untwine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hinder
• impede
• hamper
• obstruct
• embroil
• block
• entangle
• burden
• weigh
• load
• encumber

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

Recent Examples of liberate

In order to win a war—especially a war that threatened the nation’s very existence—the federal government enjoyed plenary power to liberate slaves, as nations at war had commonly done long before the Constitution was drafted and ratified. —Akhil Reed Amar, Time, 22 Sep. 2025

To One Piece fans, the flag symbolizes Luffy’s quest to chase his dreams, liberate oppressed people, and fight the autocratic World Government. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025

Reframing failure in this way is liberating. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

If a young Parisienne in the nineteen-twenties could feel liberated by the loose tailoring and comfortable fabrics of Coco Chanel’s new suits, Birkin’s generation wanted something even less restrictive. —Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025