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

Examples of emancipate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web These days, by contrast, Harris looks unbounded, emancipated, often genuinely happy. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024 Meanwhile, many Europeans have sought to emancipate themselves from Washington’s guardianship. Konrad H. Jarausch, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2015 The French and British continued to war over the land for years before the slaves were emancipated in 1834. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024 The United Kingdom outlaws the slave trade, the United States emancipates its slaves, and Russia frees its serfs. Kevin Drum, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2018 See all Example Sentences for emancipate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emancipate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near emancipate

Cite this Entry

“Emancipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emancipate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on emancipate

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