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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

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 same year that Vertigo was released, Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart took their smoldering chemistry to Bell, Book and Candle. Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025 In September 1998, the band released their 18th album together, Psycho Circus, the first to involve the original four members since their 1979 release, Dynasty. Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
According to the release, the new Dark Roux Gumbo Base combines the perfect blend of seasonings, spices, and aromatics to give consumers a robust, savory gumbo without the time or complexity of making a roux from scratch. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025 Beyond its monetary value, the treasure hoard holds significant historical importance, the press release concluded. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • The wave of store closures unleashed sporadic efforts over the intervening years to engineer new uses for the empty properties.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Exactly one week after marrying North Carolina rapper Stunna 4 Vegas in an all-pink wedding and dominating social media in the process, Houston rapper Monaleo unleashed one of hip-hop’s most politically potent songs of the year.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Lightning looms as winds threaten to push the tower over, but somehow the rescue team frees him from the wreckage to safety.
    Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The organization, which relies almost entirely on donations and volunteer fosters, is also calling attention to the overcrowding at local shelters and encourages people to adopt or foster animals to free up space, so more animals like Xiao Mao can get help.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Do recall that last week’s successful maneuver to liberate themselves from lockdown was a true group effort, with Lamb subtly engaging a room full of his people to turn the tables on their Park captors.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Detouring into satire would give that notion some pause and would give my writing some wings, liberating me from self-consciousness and untethering me from reality.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The veteran host has been candid about his firing, citing his opposition to casting political figures like Sean Spicer.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • From there, Leto threw Castro’s name into the mix for Seth and advocated for him until director Joachim Rønning and the rest of the Tron threequel’s brain trust officially cast him.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Her death was announced by General Hospital's executive producer Frank Valentini on the show's Instagram page earlier this year.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Mercedes, which has won eight Constructors’ Championships and nine Drivers’ Championships, announced on Wednesday the team would stick with the pairing for the 2026 season.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Jones has passed for over 340 yards in each of the two games since then, though he was sacked six times and had two passes intercepted in Sunday’s 30-19 loss at Tampa Bay.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • But after sacking Russell Martin, Rangers’ decision-makers have found the gig has all the magnetism of aluminium.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The team discovered that oxygen can degrade riboflavin when exposed to light, which leads to self-discharge.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • These services are available to any military veteran regardless of discharge status.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • So, when Lia’s medical waiver fell off seemingly overnight in the fall of 2022, Joy was concerned.
    Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Woods has served as a backup this season since being claimed off waivers from the Rams.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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