What is the opposite of “confine”?

What is the antonym of “confine”?

The antonyms of confine are release, free, and liberate. These antonyms convey the opposite meaning of restricting or limiting someone or something. Instead, they imply setting someone or something free or giving them more space.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

release

To set someone or something free from confinement, captivity, or obligation.

Example

The prisoner was released from jail after serving his sentence.

free

Not under the control or domination of another; able to act or do as one wishes.

Example

After finishing her work, she felt free to go for a walk in the park.

liberate

To set someone or something free from a situation of oppression, slavery, or tyranny.

Example

The soldiers fought to liberate their country from the enemy's occupation.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Release implies setting someone or something free from confinement or captivity.
• 2. Free implies not being under the control or domination of another.
• 3. Liberate implies setting someone or something free from a situation of oppression, slavery, or tyranny.

Good things to know

• 1. Legal Context: Use release to describe the act of freeing someone from legal custody.
• 2. Personal Context: Use free to describe the feeling of not being restricted or controlled by others.
• 3. Historical Context: Use liberate to describe the act of freeing a group of people from oppression or tyranny.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of confine are release, free, and liberate. Use release to describe freeing someone from confinement, free to describe the feeling of not being restricted, and liberate to describe freeing a group of people from oppression or tyranny.