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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

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

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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

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 release
Verb
Perry was released from prison and ultimately exonerated of all charges in 2021. Max Hauptman, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 The congressional task force probing the assassination attempts against President-elect Donald Trump released its final report this week. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
Lamar achieved the feat through digital-only downloads and streaming numbers, with physical releases due in early 2025. Thomas Smith, Billboard, 29 Nov. 2024 Smooth chip updates: AMD needs to successfully carry out its annual release cycle for AI chips. Paulina Likos, CNBC, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for release 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • Now on to the good stuff: See Amy Adams unleashed as a primal mom in 'Nightbitch' With Golden Globe nominations coming Monday morning, Adams has a good shot at landing her 10th career nod in the lead musical/comedy actress category.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
  • The hotel offers a range of engaging activities, such as paint-and-sip, where guests can unleash their creativity while sipping on drinks and soaking in the breathtaking ocean views at sunset.
    Linda Konde, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The company also monetized obsolete inventory, freeing up warehouse space and capital for reinvestment.
    Paul J. Noble, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
  • Duet Colorblock Saffiano Leather Small Crossbody Crossbody purses are a must-have for anyone on the go, freeing up your hands and elevating your look.
    Bianca Pineda, Southern Living, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • On Monday, the ISW's map noted gains by Kyiv in Ukraine's Donetsk region as well as claims by Russian sources that Ukrainian forces had liberated Novyi Komar.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
  • His apparent ouster would bring to a close nearly 25 years of his tight-grip rule, liberate Syria from a family dynasty that has brutally controlled Syria for double that time and inject fresh turmoil into a Middle East region already spilling over with warfare and political uncertainty.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The swing-district candidates cast themselves as moderates who didn’t toe the party line.
    Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Only 195 votes were cast, below the 200 needed for the vote to count, and the motion was scrapped.
    Cynthia Kim, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Since Musk announced xAI’s debut in July 2023, his newer AI business has released its Grok chatbot and is raising up to $6 billion at a $50 billion valuation, in part to buy 100,000 Nvidia chips, CNBC reported earlier this month.
    Jonathan Vanian,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 1 Dec. 2024
  • The 71-year-old was arrested Friday — on the same day the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office announced a person was found dead near East Highway 26 and East Miller Road in Clackamas County.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 1 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Williams was sacked on the next play and that’s when things went haywire.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024
  • Dallas pulled away in the second half, starting with an Eric Kendricks sack on the Giants’ opening possession that forced Lock to lose a fumble.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The magistrates accepted all of these arguments and gave me the lowest possible outcome (a discharge) available.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024
  • Importantly, none of the 19 patients who received opioids while recovering in the hospital post-op required further opioid prescriptions at discharge.
    Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Marcus Maye, who was claimed off waivers from the Miami Dolphins last week, grabbed an interception in the end zone in the fourth quarter, helping erase a baffling fake punt that went awry from the Chargers’ 36-yard line.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
  • The Chargers claimed safety Marcus Maye off waivers on Wednesday, after Gilman was injured Monday night.
    Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 2 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near release

Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on release

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