verb
liberate
LIB-uh-rayt/ˈlɪbəreɪt/
To release something from confinement or binding control.
The man liberates the bird by opening its cage and letting it fly out.
Etymology
The root describes being free rather than enslaved or restrained. The associated Latin verb liberare meant to bring someone into that condition: to release or set free.
In context
… I wanted to put a stop to them and I wanted to liberate the people of Kusco from this tyranny."
More examples
- The new law liberates workers from unfair restrictions.
- Heating the compound liberates oxygen as a gas.
- The soldiers liberated the prisoners from the camp.
Forms
liberate · liberates · liberated · liberating
liberation noun — Release from confinement, binding control, or occupation.
liberator noun — A person who frees others from control.
Similar words
- free
- More everyday; applies broadly to physical or figurative restraints.
- release
- Emphasizes letting someone go or allowing something to escape.
- emancipate
- Usually concerns freedom from legal, social, or political control.