Liberate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈli-bə-ˌrāt/ lib·er·ate

Meaning & Definition of Liberate

Liberate (verb)

  1. to set at liberty, free; specifically, to free (something, such as a country) from domination by a foreign power
  2. to free from combination
  3. to take or take over illegally or unjustly

Liberate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: discharge, disenthrall, emancipate, enfranchise, enlarge, free, loose, loosen, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter, turn loose
    related: bail (out), deliver, parole, ransom, redeem, rescue, save, disembarrass, disencumber, disengage, disentangle, extricate, unshackle
    opposite: bind, confine, enchain, fetter, restrain
    near: handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel, commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up), conquer, enslave, subdue, subjugate

  2. to set free from entanglement or difficulty

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

    similar: clear, disembarrass, disengage, disentangle, extricate, free, release, untangle, cut loose
    related: deliver, redeem, rescue, save, disburden, disencumber, unburden, unravel, unsnarl, untie, untwine
    opposite: embroil, entangle
    near: block, hamper, hinder, impede, obstruct, burden, encumber, load, weigh

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Liberate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Liberate:

discharge, disenthrall, emancipate, enfranchise, enlarge, free, loose, loosen, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter, clear, disembarrass, disengage, disentangle, extricate, untangle, turn loose, cut loose

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Liberate

Words with the opposite meaning of Liberate:

bind, confine, enchain, fetter, restrain, embroil, entangle

Related Words for Liberate

bail (out), deliver, parole, ransom, redeem, rescue, save, disencumber, unshackle, disburden, unburden, unravel, unsnarl, untie, untwine

Near Antonyms of Liberate

handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel, commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up), conquer, enslave, subdue, subjugate, block, hamper, hinder, impede, obstruct, burden, encumber, load, weigh

Word Forms of Liberate

Inflections: liberated, liberating

Derived words: liberator (noun), liberatory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Liberate

borrowed from Latin līberātus, past participle of līberāre "to give free status to (a slave), release from restraint," derivative of līber "free" liberal:1

First known use: circa 1623

Frequently Asked Questions about Liberate

What does "Liberate" mean?

"Liberate" means to set at liberty, free; specifically, to free (something, such as a country) from domination by a foreign power. As a verb, it is defined as: to set at liberty, free; specifically, to free (something, such as a country) from domination by a foreign power. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Liberate"?

Other words for "Liberate" include discharge, disenthrall, emancipate, enfranchise, enlarge, free, loose and loosen. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Liberate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Liberate"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Liberate". Common alternatives include discharge, disenthrall, emancipate, enfranchise, enlarge, free, loose, loosen, manumit and release.

What is the opposite of "Liberate"?

Antonyms of "Liberate" include bind, confine, enchain, fetter, restrain, embroil and entangle. Near antonyms include handcuff, manacle, shackle and trammel.

How do you use "Liberate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Liberate" in a sentence: "the animal rightists snuck into the laboratory in the middle of the night to liberate all of the monkeys"; "we were liberated from our financial woes when we hit the grand prize in the lottery".

Is "Liberate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Liberate" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Liberate"?

"Liberate" is pronounced /ˈli-bə-ˌrāt/ and divided into syllables as lib·er·ate.

What is the origin of the word "Liberate"?

"Liberate" comes from borrowed from Latin līberātus, past participle of līberāre "to give free status to (a slave), release from restraint," derivative of līber "free" liberal:1. First known use: circa 1623.