liberate

• POS: Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: lib=er=ate

CIDE DICTIONARY

liberate, v. t. [L. liberatus, p. p. of liberare to free, fr. liber free. See Liberal, a., and cf. Deliver.].

 To release from restraint or bondage; to set at liberty; to free; to manumit; to disengage; as, to liberate a slave or prisoner; to liberate the mind from prejudice; to liberate gases.  [1913 Webster]

Syn. -- To deliver; free; release. See Deliver.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

liberate, v.tr.
1 (often foll. by from) set at liberty, set free.
2 free (a country etc.) from an oppressor or an enemy occupation.
3 (often as liberated adj.) free (a person) from rigid social conventions, esp. in sexual behaviour.
4 sl. steal.
5 Chem. release (esp. a gas) from a state of combination.

Derivative

liberator n.

Etymology

L liberare liberat- f. liber free

THESAURUS

liberate

affranchise, appropriate, cast off, clear, deliver, detach, disburden, discharge, disembarrass, disembroil, disencumber, disengage, disentangle, disenthrall, disinvolve, doff, ease, emancipate, enfranchise, extract, extricate, free, free up, let go, let loose, let off, let out, loose, loosen, manumit, pilfer, purloin, ransom, recover, redeem, release, remove, rescue, retrieve, salvage, save, set at large, set at liberty, set free, steal, take, take off, unbar, unbind, unbolt, unbuckle, unbutton, unchain, unclasp, unclutter, undo, unfasten, unfetter, unglue, unlace, unlatch, unleash, unlock, unloose, unloosen, unscramble, unshackle, unsnarl, unstick, unstrap, untangle, untie, weigh anchor

ROGET THESAURUS

liberate

Liberation

VB liberate, free, set free, set clear, set at liberty, render free, emancipate, release, enfranchise, affranchise, manumit, enlarge, disband, discharge, disenthrall, disenthral, dismiss, let go, let loose, loose, let out, let slip, cast adrift, turn adrift, deliver, absolve, unfetter &c, untie, loose, loosen, relax, unbolt, unbar, unclose, uncork, unclog, unhand, unbind, unchain, unharness, unleash, disengage, disentangle, clear, extricate, unloose, gain one's liberty, obtain one's liberty, acquire one's liberty, get rid of, get clear of, deliver oneself from, shake off the yoke, slip the collar, break loose, break prison, tear asunder one's bonds, cast off trammels, escape.

Acquittal

VB acquit, exculpate, exonerate, clear, absolve, whitewash, assoil, discharge, release, liberate, reprieve, respite, pardon, let off, let off scot- free, drop the charges, plea bargain, strike a deal, no-cause (in civil suits), get no-caused.