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

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

And yet Mr. Trump cloaked the effort’s announcement in glamour, calling it “potentially ‘The Manhattan Project’ of our time,” aiming “to liberate our economy, and make the U.S. government accountable to ‘WE THE PEOPLE.’”

From New York Times

He explained he had been "liberated" from 16 years on the political frontline and now was "not particularly in the mood to be boxed back into a narrow band again".

From BBC

The third scenario of Ukraine completely liberating its occupied territories is looking less and less likely.

From BBC

Playing a liberated lab assistant with a German accent, Garr proved she was “a splendid comedienne,” The Times’ review said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• emancipate
• free
• rescue
• save