as in to liberate
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
under the cover of darkness animal rights activists emancipated the inhabitants of the mink ranch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of emancipate
Fox taught that the Inner Light emancipates a person from adherence to any creed, ecclesiastical authority or ritual forms.
—
Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
In the Revolutionary War itself, Britain’s Lord Dunmore had emancipated large numbers of southern slaves as a war measure—a fact well-known in both the 1770s and the 1860s.
—Akhil Reed Amar, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
Nev, who’s now 17 and emancipated, returns to Avan Island.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
Escape, betrayal and onward to Freedom Quarles self-emancipated in 1842 on the same day this country celebrates its independence — July 4.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emancipate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emancipate
Verb
-
Hudson, for her part, felt liberated.—
-
Russia’s president has claimed that his invasion of Ukraine was a mission to liberate the people of that country.—
Verb
-
Pots, pans, trays, and lots of utensils can be shoved onto oven shelves to free up counter and kitchen table space.—
-
The engine, freed from its hook by a sudden hard, precise kick, quickly sank into the river, pulling the cord tight and dragging the foreman underwater.—
Verb
-
Yet again, Netflix has released a Harlan Coben adaptation on New Year’s Day—and again it’s written by Danny Brocklehurst (Fool Me Once).—
-
The sateen weave strikes the perfect balance for fall—breathable enough to release pesky heat and moisture, yet cozy and smooth enough to snuggle into on cooler nights.—
Verb
-
The Los Angeles County Fire Department on Wednesday rescued three people who were trapped under a collapsed retaining wall in Lennox.—
-
In the final battle, the group of heroes kills Vecna, and the Mind Flayer, before rescuing the children and setting off bombs that destroy the Upside Down.—
Verb
-
Keeping Tabs on Car and Insurance-Related Documents Good documentation helps save time and stress during claims or disputes.—
-
After first responders tried to save her at the scene, she was taken to Hennepin Healthcare and pronounced dead.—
Verb
-
The passage of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870, which enfranchised formerly enslaved men, seemingly brought the push for voting rights to fruition.—
-
Open primaries would enfranchise more than a million New York voters, who are disproportionately young and represent communities of color.—
Cite this Entry
“Emancipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emancipate. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share