Synonym Chooser

How does the verb manumit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of manumit are emancipate, free, liberate, and release. While all these words mean "to set loose from restraint or constraint," manumit implies emancipation from slavery.

the document manumitted the slaves

When would emancipate be a good substitute for manumit?

The words emancipate and manumit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection or domination.

labor-saving devices emancipated us from household drudgery

Where would free be a reasonable alternative to manumit?

Although the words free and manumit have much in common, free implies a usually permanent removal from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses.

freed the animals from their cages

When is liberate a more appropriate choice than manumit?

The synonyms liberate and manumit are sometimes interchangeable, but liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty.

liberated their country from the tyrant

In what contexts can release take the place of manumit?

The meanings of release and manumit largely overlap; however, release suggests a setting loose from confinement, restraint, or a state of pressure or tension, often without implication of permanent liberation.

released his anger on a punching bag

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of manumit Tubman’s father had been manumitted by his owner, but Brodess had inherited Tubman, hiring her and her siblings out to neighbors for seasonal work, whether trapping muskrats or clearing land. Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024 Grant would manumit his one enslaved servant, William Jones, in 1859. Harold Holzer, WSJ, 1 Jan. 2024 In one county, not a single enslaved person was manumitted in 1859. John Reeves, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Dec. 2023 No evidence exists to suggest Kirby Smith did manumit him. Cynthia Greenlee, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023 Some states, like the state of Georgia, passed expulsion laws that required blacks who were manumitted to leave the state within a year of their emancipation. Tera W. Hunter, The Root, 15 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manumit
Verb
  • While the technology is impressive, the real value lies in how these platforms free up HR professionals to focus on what matters most – the human aspect of their role.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Questioned by the rebel fighter who freed him, the man identified himself as Adel Ghurbal from the central Syrian city of Homs.
    Tim Lister, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • So The Batman 2, which would release after the Brave and the Bold, would be a flashback from The Brave and the Bold, given that obviously Pattinson is nowhere near that point in his story currently, and The Penguin timeline confirms that.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The House Ethics Committee's report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) had been poised to stay officially buried — until two centrist Republicans on the panel unexpectedly voted to release it, Axios has learned.
    Andrew Solender, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Mostly what you’re being liberated from is your unmet expectation.
    Eric Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Dumping him will be liberating and empowering for you, and an important life lesson for him.
    Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The San Luis Obispo County Urban Search and Rescue team rescued the two individuals in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol and the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • She was rescued and taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
    Skylar Heisey, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • African cultures contributed significantly to carnival traditions, as enslaved people who were newly emancipated brought their musical instruments, dance rhythms, singing styles, masks and costumes to the street.
    Sharene Shariatzadeh, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2024
  • Trump has insisted his tariffs would create jobs at home and emancipate the U.S. from being at the mercy of foreign manufacturing.
    Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Millions were enfranchised when women got the vote in 1920, but Black women were mostly excluded from voting due to legal discrimination.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2024
  • Comprehensively enfranchising migrants as urban citizens could lead to severe backlash from the urban elites—the constituency with which the CCP most closely aligns.
    Damien Ma, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2015
Verb
  • To keep Kiara's mind off things, Rafiki tells the story of young Mufasa (Aaron Pierre), who got washed away from his family by a huge flood and was saved by Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the prince of his pride who shows early signs of his craven nature and eventual heel turn as Scar.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Paywall-free reading of new articles and over a century of archives Unlock access to iOS/Android apps to save editions for offline reading Six issues a year in print and online, plus audio articles Already a subscriber?
    Daniel H. Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near manumit

Cite this Entry

“Manumit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manumit. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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