liberate

[lib-uh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

liberated, liberating 

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

Other Word Forms

• liberative adjective
• liberatory adjective
• liberator noun
• preliberate verb (used with object)
• reliberate verb (used with object)
• unliberated 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

Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, said bilateral relations between Russia and North Korea are friendly and that Pyongyang's military helped to liberate the Kursk region.

From BBC

In 2021, he fulfilled his contract with Sony Music and went independent – a process he has called "liberating" after years of "struggling to put out the music I wanted to put out".

From BBC

“There was something liberating about being like, ‘I want to be a working screenwriter,’ which, of course, there’s no greater cliché in L.A.,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

While Russia did achieve operational success during the early days of the full-scale invasion, DeepState points out a large proportion of occupied territory was then liberated.

From BBC

Their father, who was among the troops who liberated the Ohrdruf concentration camp in Germany in 1945, taught his sons that such crimes against humanity are not to be forgotten, whitewashed or ignored.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• emancipate 
• free 
• rescue 
• save