liberate

[ lib-uh-reyt ]

/ ˈlɪb əˌreɪt /

verb (used with object), lib·er·at·ed, lib·er·at·ing.

to set free, as from imprisonment or bondage.

to free (a nation or area) from control by a foreign or oppressive government.

to free (a group or individual) from social or economic constraints or discrimination, especially arising from traditional role expectations or bias.

to disengage; set free from combination, as a gas.

Slang. to steal or take over illegally: The soldiers liberated a consignment of cigarettes.

Nearby words

liberal unionist, liberalia, liberalism, liberality, liberalize, liberate, liberated, liberation, liberation theology, liberator, liberec

Origin of liberate

1615–25; < Latin līberātus (past participle of līberāre to free), equivalent to līberā- verb stem + -tus past participle suffix. See liberal, -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR liberate

1 deliver, unfetter, disenthrall, loose. See release.

ANTONYMS FOR liberate

1 imprison; enthrall.

Related forms

lib·er·a·tive, lib·er·a·to·ry

[lib-er-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˈlɪb ər əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivelib·er·a·tor, nounpre·lib·er·ate, verb (used with object), pre·lib·er·at·ed, pre·lib·er·at·ing.re·lib·er·ate, verb (used with object), re·lib·er·at·ed, re·lib·er·at·ing.

un·lib·er·at·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for liberatory

liberate

/ (ˈlɪbəˌreɪt) /

verb (tr)

to give liberty to; make free

to release (something, esp a gas) from chemical combination during a chemical reaction

to release from occupation or subjugation by a foreign power

to free from social prejudices or injustices

euphemistic, or facetious to steal

Derived Forms

liberator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012