liberate

[ lib-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, lib·er·at·ed, lib·er·at·ing.

1. to set free, as from imprisonment or bondage.

   Synonyms: loose, disenthrall, unfetter, deliver

   Antonyms: enthrall, imprison

2. to free (a nation or area) from control by a foreign or oppressive government.
3. to free (a group or individual) from social or economic constraints or discrimination, especially arising from traditional role expectations or bias.
4. to disengage; set free from combination, as a gas.
5. Slang. to steal or take over illegally:

   The soldiers liberated a consignment of cigarettes.

liberate

/ ˈlɪbəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to give liberty to; make free
2. to release (something, esp a gas) from chemical combination during a chemical reaction
3. to release from occupation or subjugation by a foreign power
4. to free from social prejudices or injustices
5. euphemistic.
   to steal

Derived Forms

• ˈliberˌator, noun

Other Words From

• liber·ative lib·er·a·to·ry [lib, -er-, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• liber·ator noun
• pre·liber·ate verb (used with object) preliberated preliberating
• re·liber·ate verb (used with object) reliberated reliberating
• un·liber·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberate¹

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, -ate ¹

Synonym Study

See release.

Example Sentences

“It was really liberating to be able to say, ‘I know that that was a success for me.

From Los Angeles Times

It says it offers GPs "practice management solutions" and its "team of experts" believe in "liberating" medical professionals from "managerial burden" to provide "high standards of patient care".

From BBC

“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” may open on Iman, but eventually, the focus shifts to Najmeh and her daughters, who are positioned as the possibility for liberating Iran from its regressive, patriarchal government.

From Los Angeles Times

There they reacted with the silver chloride, liberating negatively charged chloride ions that attracted lithium ions through the membrane.

From Science Magazine

He was handed over to the ICC in 2018 by the Malian authorities - five years after French troops helped liberate Timbuktu from the jihadists.

From BBC

Related Words

• emancipate
• free
• rescue
• save