liberate
14 synonyms and 5 antonyms for liberate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To set someone or something free from confinement, control, or oppression.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use liberate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
liberate a country
liberate energy
liberate someone from oppression
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin liberatus, "set free," the past participle of libero, "to free" — ultimately from liber, "free." Not related to deliberate, despite the visual overlap.
Full origin of liberate →Frequently asked questions
What does “liberate” mean?
The word “liberate” means to set someone or something free from confinement, control, or oppression. In plain terms, to free someone or something — from captivity, oppression, or, in chemistry, to release a substance.
How do you pronounce “liberate”?
“Liberate” is pronounced LIH-buh-rayt (/ˈlɪbəˌɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “liberate” in a sentence?
Here is “liberate” used in a sentence: “Allied troops liberated the city after months of occupation.”
What is another word for “liberate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “liberate” include befree, free, absolve, deliver, discharge and disentangle.
What is the opposite of “liberate”?
The opposite of “liberate” — its antonyms — are capture, confine, imprison, leash and restrain.
What part of speech is “liberate”?
“Liberate” is a verb.
Where does the word “liberate” come from?
The word “liberate” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing from Latin liberatus, "set free," the past participle of libero, "to free" — ultimately from liber, "free." Not related to deliberate, despite the visual overlap.
Is “liberate” a common word?
“Liberate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
