l-i-b-e-r-a-t-e
LIBERATE means to set free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; to release from bondage or restraint. This powerful verb embodies the universal human desire for freedom and self-determination.
10
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
LIBERATE is a transitive verb meaning to set someone or something free from a situation, especially imprisonment or slavery, where their freedom is severely restricted. The act of liberation represents one of humanity's most fundamental aspirations—the quest for freedom from oppression, constraint, or control.
In historical contexts, liberate often refers to military actions that free territories or peoples from enemy occupation. The Allied forces liberated concentration camps during World War II, revealing the horrors of the Holocaust. Nations have been liberated from colonial rule, cities from invading armies, and individuals from unjust imprisonment. Each act of liberation marks a pivotal moment where freedom triumphs over oppression.
Beyond its military and political meanings, liberate has evolved to encompass personal and psychological freedom. People speak of liberating themselves from toxic relationships, outdated beliefs, or social expectations. The women's liberation movement fought to free women from restrictive gender roles. This broader understanding recognizes that bondage can be mental and emotional as well as physical.
In modern usage, liberate can also have lighter connotations. Someone might "liberate" office supplies (a euphemism for taking them), or feel liberated after quitting a stressful job. Technology liberates us from mundane tasks, while education liberates minds from ignorance. These uses show how the concept of freedom permeates daily life.
In Scrabble and word games, LIBERATE is a valuable 8-letter word that can earn the 50-point bingo bonus. Its common letters make it relatively easy to form, while its length provides opportunities for multiple crosswords. The word contains useful letter combinations like RATE, BEAR, and LITE that can help in forming other words.
LIBERATE derives from the Latin "liberare," meaning "to set free," which comes from "liber," meaning "free." This Latin root is the source of numerous English words related to freedom: liberty, liberal, libertine, and liberation.
The word entered Middle English through Old French "liberer" around the 15th century. Initially, it primarily meant to release from physical bondage or captivity. The concept of "liber" in ancient Rome distinguished free citizens from slaves, making liberation a fundamental social and legal transformation.
The Latin root "liber" is also connected to Liber, the Roman god of wine and freedom, suggesting ancient associations between liberation and the loosening of constraints. This connection persists in modern usage, where "liberated" can describe someone acting freely without social inhibitions.
Over centuries, the word's meaning expanded from physical freedom to encompass intellectual, emotional, and spiritual liberation. The 20th century saw the rise of "liberation" movements—women's liberation, gay liberation, and national liberation movements—each extending the concept of freedom into new domains of human experience.
•The Statue of Liberty, gifted by France to the United States in 1886, has "Liberty Enlightening the World" as its full name, making it the world's most famous symbol of liberation
•Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison before being liberated in 1990, becoming a global icon of freedom and later South Africa's first Black president
•In Scrabble strategy, LIBERATE contains the high-value letter B (3 points) and can be broken down into smaller words like LIBERAL, BERATE, and ALTER for flexible gameplay
"Allied forces worked to liberate occupied territories throughout Europe during World War II."
"The underground railroad helped liberate enslaved people seeking freedom in the North."
"Therapy helped her liberate herself from years of self-doubt and negative thinking."
"Learning to say 'no' liberated him from the burden of constant people-pleasing."
"I formed LIBERATE using the existing RATE on the board, earning a 50-point bingo bonus!"
Freedom from oppressive government or foreign rule
Freedom from discriminatory social structures
Freedom from internal constraints and limitations
Freedom from poverty and financial dependence
The concept of liberation has profoundly shaped human culture and history. From the Exodus story in religious texts to modern civil rights movements, the narrative of liberation resonates across all cultures. It appears in countless songs, from Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" to the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome."
Liberation theology emerged in Latin America, linking Christian faith with freedom from poverty and oppression. The women's liberation movement transformed societies worldwide, challenging millennia-old patriarchal structures. Each liberation movement builds on previous struggles, creating a continuous thread of human progress toward freedom.
In literature and film, liberation provides compelling dramatic arcs—from "The Shawshank Redemption" to "12 Years a Slave." These stories remind us that the desire for freedom is universal and that the act of liberation, whether of oneself or others, represents humanity at its best.
Total base points: 10 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 4 | Consonants: 4
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like LIBERATE