Synonym Chooser

How does the verb emancipate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of emancipate are free, liberate, manumit, and release. While all these words mean "to set loose from restraint or constraint," emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection or domination.

labor-saving devices emancipated us from household drudgery

When might free be a better fit than emancipate?

While the synonyms free and emancipate are close in meaning, free implies a usually permanent removal from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses.

freed the animals from their cages

In what contexts can liberate take the place of emancipate?

The meanings of liberate and emancipate largely overlap; however, liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty.

liberated their country from the tyrant

When could manumit be used to replace emancipate?

The words manumit and emancipate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, manumit implies emancipation from slavery.

the document manumitted the slaves

When would release be a good substitute for emancipate?

In some situations, the words release and emancipate are roughly equivalent. However, release suggests a setting loose from confinement, restraint, or a state of pressure or tension, often without implication of permanent liberation.

released his anger on a punching bag

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 Juneteenth, which takes place on June 19, marks the day the last of the enslaved Americans learned they had been emancipated. Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2025 Instead of being described as a ransom payment, the debt and the French king’s gunboat extortion were framed as emancipating the slaves who, after defeating the world’s most powerful army, declared the new nation of Haiti on Jan. 1, 1804. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025 Jefferson later maintained that any decision to emancipate slaves must be part of a democratic process and not handed down by, say, executive order. Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025 And many Virginians who owned enslaved people were terrified that the British were going to emancipate their enslaved labor. Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emancipate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emancipate
Verb
  • The same technology that could liberate human curiosity could just as easily extinguish it.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
  • By the end of the session in August, Congress codified a process for Butler-like actions by army officers to assume jurisdiction over any enslaved people who liberated themselves by sneaking into Union lines.
    Zaakir Tameez June 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • With its easy setup and free unlimited storage, family members can instantly share photos from anywhere.
    Jené Luciani Sena may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025
  • The American heroes who stormed onto Normandy Beach 81 years ago to free Europe from Nazi tyranny are almost all gone now.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Also on Tuesday morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its monthly look at U.S. import and export prices — a report that historically hasn't gotten a ton of attention, but now provides another way to measure the impact of tariffs.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 15 June 2025
  • On Sunday at 2:18 a.m. the NWS Raleigh NC released a flood watch valid between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • But Brad Marchand rescued the Panthers with the Marchand Miracle, a goal in the second overtime for a 5-4 road win and 1-1 series heading back to South Florida for Game 3 Monday night.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
  • Stern, a multiple-tour combat veteran of the U.S. Army and Navy who now rescues people for a living, told Fox News Digital.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Some other states specifically prohibit localities from enfranchising noncitizens.
    Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Thus enfranchised, Hackman took on Richard Harris’ elegant killer English Bob with gusto, mixing in a bravura oratorical gavotte with ample kicks to the ribs, and summoning the Best Supporting Actor trophy.
    Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Molly saves the day, grabbing a teapot from a closet, where she’s been saving a secret stash of cash.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • On the plus side, Hershel finally perfected his knife-throwing just in time to save mom Maggie from becoming Grizzly Chow.
    Charlie Mason, TVLine, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The ruling Wednesday evening marked the latest setback for Apple in its long-running legal battle with Epic Games, which first sued the iPhone maker in 2020 in an attempt to force Apple to loosen its grip on purchases in apps that utilize its iOS operating system.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 5 June 2025
  • Stir in chicken stock and wine, scraping bottom of pan to loosen any browned bits.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Tubman’s father had been manumitted by his owner, but Brodess had inherited Tubman, hiring her and her siblings out to neighbors for seasonal work, whether trapping muskrats or clearing land.
    Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
  • Grant would manumit his one enslaved servant, William Jones, in 1859.
    Harold Holzer, WSJ, 1 Jan. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emancipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emancipate. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on emancipate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!