liberate

[ lib-uh-reyt ]

See synonyms for: liberate liberated liberating liberator on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of liberate

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin līberātus (past participle of līberāre “to free”), equivalent to līberā- verb stem + -tus past participle suffix. See liberal, -ate¹

synonym study For liberate

1. See release.

Other words for liberate

1	deliver, unfetter, disenthrall, loose

See synonyms for liberate on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for liberate

1	imprison; enthrall

See antonyms for liberate on Thesaurus.com

Other words from liberate

lib·er·a·tive, lib·er·a·to·ry [lib-er-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ˈlɪb ər əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective
lib·er·a·tor, noun
pre·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. 2023

How to use liberate in a sentence

Because it would liberate me from any pretense of having a relationship with or duty to this person.
Carolyn Hax: Her sister-in-law has the starring role in a mean group chat | Carolyn Hax | January 31, 2021 | Washington Post
Having that tiny bit of choice liberated her strong-willed self.
Distance learning was a disaster. So I decided to teach my daughter myself. | Tracey Lewis-Giggetts | November 19, 2020 | Washington Post
Regardless, there is something liberating about a billowy dress free of a waistline, making working from home all the more comfortable.
Gift Guide: What to wear when working from home | Rachel King | November 2, 2020 | Fortune

British Dictionary definitions for liberate

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 of liberate

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

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