liberation

noun

lib·​er·​a·​tion ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce liberation (audio)
Synonyms of liberation
1
: the act of liberating : the state of being liberated
2
: a movement seeking equal rights and status for a group
women's liberation
liberationist
ˌli-bə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce liberation (audio)
noun

Synonyms of liberation

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Examples of liberation in a Sentence

The liberation of the city took weeks. the liberation of the slaves was one of the key results of the Civil War
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Cole did worry that curators might overemphasize the diagnosis, that King would no longer be an artist but an autistic artist, and therefore a symbol of something—resilience, perhaps, or liberation through creativity. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 This is a big step, particularly in Hinduism, where gurus are part of culture and deemed necessary to attain moksha — liberation from the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 There is something deeply hypocritical about discovering and using the language of women’s liberation only when your own status, reputation, or income is at stake. — Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026 That progressive sociopolitical stance is evident from the beginning of her career, which overlapped with the emergence of the women’s liberation movement. — Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liberation

Word History

Etymology

Middle English liberacion "deliverance," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "action of freeing," borrowed from Latin līberātiōn-, līberātiō "setting free, release, acquittal," from līberāre "to give free status to (a slave), release" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at liberate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of liberation was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing liberation

Rhymes for liberation

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Browse Nearby Words

liberated
liberation
liberationism
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Cite this Entry

“Liberation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberation. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

liberation

noun
lib·​er·​a·​tion ˌlib-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce liberation (audio)
1
: the act of liberating : the state of being liberated
2
: a movement seeking equal rights for a group

More from Merriam-Webster on liberation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about liberation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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