1
as in to unleash
to set free (from a state of being held in check)
the losing player released his anger with a great yell of frustration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to give way (to)
to find emotional release for
tried to find other ways of releasing tension than by chewing her fingernails
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to free
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
release the prisoners immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to liberate
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
the new governor finally managed to release himself from his rash campaign promise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to cast
to throw or give off
an air freshener that releases a pleasing scent into the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to announce
to make known openly or publicly
the panel of nutritionists released their findings on the safety and effectiveness of various diets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to sack
to let go from office, service, or employment
they released the workers who couldn't handle the new technology
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in waiver
a document containing a declaration of an intentional giving up of a right, claim, or privilege
we had to sign a liability release before they'd let us go rock climbing on their property
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in announcement
a published statement informing the public of a matter of general interest
a press release announcing that the governor would not run for a second term
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in relief
reduction of or freedom from pain
only sleep offered any release from the agony of the migraine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 release
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2025
Before authorities even release information about the suspect, politicians and commentators put forward conspiracy theories that the attacker was trans, which are almost always debunked.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Grenell, a former US ambassador to Germany, has met with Maduro several times this year to secure the release of US citizens wrongfully detained in Venezuela in exchange for hundreds of Venezuelan migrants the White House had previously sent to El Salvador.
—Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for release
Verb
The new movie will be released in all AMC Theatres locations.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2025
Before authorities even release information about the suspect, politicians and commentators put forward conspiracy theories that the attacker was trans, which are almost always debunked.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
Two more victims self-transported themselves to a hospital and to a fire station, the release said.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Grenell, a former US ambassador to Germany, has met with Maduro several times this year to secure the release of US citizens wrongfully detained in Venezuela in exchange for hundreds of Venezuelan migrants the White House had previously sent to El Salvador.
—Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
-
The deaths happened after Super Typhoon Ragasa’s outer bands brought heavy rain to Hualien county, causing a barrier lake in the mountains to overflow and unleash a wall of water onto the small town of Guangfu.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
-
That’s after Cipher takes control of Jordan’s body and powers, unleashing their fists on Marie when the two choose to give the crowd a kiss rather than a fight.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But in the years that followed, Syed's judicial game of table tennis continued until he was finally freed from prison in 2022.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The goal is to free up your team’s bandwidth for the strategic relationship work that only humans can do.—
Shawn Pierce,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And that liberated me, absolutely liberated me.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
In order to win a war—especially a war that threatened the nation’s very existence—the federal government enjoyed plenary power to liberate slaves, as nations at war had commonly done long before the Constitution was drafted and ratified.—
Akhil Reed Amar,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Viewers may cast up to 10 votes per voting method, with a maximum of 20 votes per couple each week.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Ellis has been cast as Bill Gibson, a charismatic, successful investment banker who is admired for being his firm’s highest-earning managing director.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Any Mega Millions winners will be posted here once announced by lottery officials.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Xcel and plaintiffs’ attorneys announced the settlement Wednesday, just one day before the start of jury selection in a two-month civil trial to determine blame for the 2021 wildfire that killed two people and destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Boulder County.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Gastineau, who appeared emotional, accused Favre of taking a dive during a game in 2001 so that New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan could sack him and break Gastineau’s single-season record.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Another key distinction was that the Cowboys' defense didn't sack Williams, something that hindered him in the Bears' first two losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, her addition to the House Democratic Caucus provides the final signature needed for the bipartisan discharge petition regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Trump could have faced up to four years in prison, but a judge issued an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction in place but sparing him any penalty or fine.—
Jeremy Kohler,
ProPublica,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Where the impact is less clear is on vehicle standards, which have been central to California’s climate policy, because under the Clean Air Act, California can apply for a waiver to set stricter vehicle emissions rules than the federal government.—
Chaewon Chung
Updated September 25,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The Transgender Film Center will provide submission waivers to certain festivals, including Fantastic Fest.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share