as in to free
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
though he was an outspoken defender of liberty, this son of Virginia did not manumit his own slaves until he was on his deathbed
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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
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
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But Jordan says the money freed up within a few days.—
Debbie Elliott,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2025
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The Dolphins’ two options would be releasing him (which wouldn’t free up significant cap space until after June 1) or keeping him but with terms of the contract adjusted to save Miami money and cap space.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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He was released by the Chargers on March 5, saving the team $25.36 million in salary cap space.—
Dianna Russini,
The Athletic,
12 Mar. 2025
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At least one person was killed and 18 injured, according to a CNN tally of figures released by various Ukrainian officials.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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That was really liberating at the time for women and looked scary to men.—
A Martínez,
NPR,
7 Mar. 2025
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This might fly in the face of everything a business leader has been taught about being an expert, but trust me, the results of this kind of thinking are liberating.—
Christian Davies FCSD,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Among my very highest priorities is to rescue our economy and get dramatic and immediate relief to working families.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2025
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Greta and Szymon After being rescued, Greta's husband—a.k.a.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In February 1991, the child star emancipated herself at the age of 14 and moved into an apartment of her own.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
22 Feb. 2025
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Under this framework, any slaves coming voluntarily to Union lines were effectively emancipated.—
Scott Spillman,
The New Yorker,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Thus enfranchised, Hackman took on Richard Harris’ elegant killer English Bob with gusto, mixing in a bravura oratorical gavotte with ample kicks to the ribs, and summoning the Best Supporting Actor trophy.—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2025
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After the Third Reform Act of 1884, six of 10 adult Englishmen were enfranchised.—
Geoffrey Wheatcroft,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The seating plan, called WILMA, which stands for window-middle-aisle, will save up to two minutes on the boarding process for each flight.—
Sydney Borchers,
Fox News,
5 Mar. 2025
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Students, parents, educators and non-profit groups advocating to save education funding organized across the city Tuesday to protest as President Donald Trump prepared to address a joint session of Congress later in the evening.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacramento Bee,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Manumit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manumit. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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