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liberator

C1
Uncommon

Pronunciation

UK

  • /lˈɪbərˌeɪtə/

US

  • /ˈlɪˌbɜrˌeɪtər/

Meanings

Noun

  1. a person or force that frees people or places from oppression, captivity, or enemy control

  2. a person who campaigns for greater social freedom or emancipation

Beyond the definition

A liberator isn't just someone who opens a door; they are someone who frees people from oppression, control, or captivity. Think of Harriet Tubman leading enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad; she was a true liberator. The word carries weight and usually suggests a struggle against injustice. It can also be used more broadly: a new tool might free us from dull work, or a powerful speech could help someone break free from fear.

Liberators aren't always celebrated in their own time; sometimes they face resistance from those who benefit from the status quo. Yet history often remembers them as people who dared to challenge injustice and fight for freedom. Consider Nelson Mandela in South Africa, or Simón Bolívar, who helped free several South American countries from Spanish rule.

Examples

  1. 1

    Military arrival

    The city welcomed the army as liberators after years of occupation.

  2. 2

    Historical figure

    Simón Bolívar is remembered as a liberator of much of South America.

  3. 3

    Public praise

    She was hailed as a liberator by workers after she helped end the unfair system.

    • Patternbe hailed as a liberator

      be publicly praised as one

  4. 4

    Political claim

    The rebels called themselves liberators, but many villagers were afraid of them.

More examples
  1. 5

    Figurative use

    For some people, remote work felt like a liberator from the daily commute.

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • liberator of the oppressed
  • hailed as a liberator
  • national liberator

Word family

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Forms and spellings

2 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • liberatornoun

Forms

  • liberatorspluralnoun