What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
liberate
Example
The soldiers were able to liberate the prisoners from the enemy camp. [liberate: verb]
Example
The therapy sessions helped her to liberate herself from her anxiety. [liberate: reflexive verb]
free
Example
The police officer freed the hostages from the building. [freed: past tense]
Example
The new policy will free up more time for employees to pursue personal projects. [free: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Free is more commonly used than liberate in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts and meanings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between liberate and free?
Liberate is generally considered more formal than free, and it is often used in academic or political writing.
