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release

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noun

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as in discharge
a freeing from an obligation or responsibility because they had legally declared bankruptcy, they received release from their debt

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb release differ from other similar words?

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

In what contexts can emancipate take the place of release?

The meanings of emancipate and release largely overlap; however, emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection or domination.

labor-saving devices emancipated us from household drudgery

When would free be a good substitute for release?

The words free and release can be used in similar contexts, but free implies a usually permanent removal from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses.

freed the animals from their cages

When might liberate be a better fit than release?

While in some cases nearly identical to release, liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty.

liberated their country from the tyrant

When is manumit a more appropriate choice than release?

Although the words manumit and release have much in common, manumit implies emancipation from slavery.

the document manumitted the slaves

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
Verb
The traffic alert was released Sunday at 7:12 p.m., and the latest update regarding this incident was made available on Sunday at 7:40 p.m. Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2025 Winners Defensive coordinator Zach Orr: The Ravens’ X account released a video of Orr reacting to the Malaki Starks pick with his defensive coaches. Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
In a Thursday night news release, Sellenriek Construction CEO Steve Sellenriek wrote that the explosion occurred after the employee struck an unmarked underground gas line while attempting to install fiber optic cable. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025 Integra said in its news release that the submission of the mining plan of operations triggers the BLM to begin evaluating potential environmental impacts of the project, which will then lead to a public comment period and other government analyses. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • The games at the Coliseum should be high-octane with the Unicorns set to unleash a squad brimming with youthful talent.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • As a result, players are rewarded for playing well by earning more AP and being able to unleash flashier special attacks.
    George Yang, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In the month following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack and Hamas's seizing of hundreds of Israeli hostages, Francis had prayed they would soon be freed and called for dialogue.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Four months into his second term, the sprint is on: SAB 121 is gone, freeing banks from punitive capital rules on digital‑asset custody; April’s bill scrapped the nightmare cost‑basis paperwork for DeFi; and the DOJ has shuttered its crypto task force, vowing to chase scammers, not software.
    Crypto Confidential, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Another endangered fish, northern tidewater gobies, were rescued from the same watershed shortly before the steelhead were liberated.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Just as my ancient and modern ancestors found freedom from oppression, so can each of us be liberated from today’s challenges by crafting a future built on deeds of lovingkindness.
    Maria Zimina, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sneider also reported that Keanu Reeves has been cast as a villain in the film.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2025
  • At the time, Sandoval, 42, was in a long-term relationship with fellow Vanderpump cast member and live-in girlfriend Ariana Madix.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This month, the United Nations World Food Program announced that the Trump administration was terminating emergency food assistance for 14 fragile countries around the world.
    Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • One of North Crowley’s best defenders announced his next step.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The city was sacked again — this time by the Turks — and incorporated into the Ottoman Empire.
    Danuta Hamlin, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • At the crossroads of Roman roads in ancient Gaul, Cassel was sacked by the Vikings in the late 9th century, and later became a 17th-century war prize fought over by France and Spain.
    Mary Winston Nicklin, AFAR Media, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Caton was charged with three felonies: unlawful firearm discharge at an occupied vehicle, assault with intent to murder and malicious injury to property.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Lee was taken into custody by the sheriff’s office on charges of second-degree murder and negligent discharge of a firearm, police said.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Some college basketball players have entered the portal with no remaining eligibility while awaiting potential court rulings or NCAA waivers that could grant them additional years of playing time.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Congress must pass legislation to approve a waiver to use that location.
    Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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