release 1 of 2

Definition of releasenext
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

release

2 of 2

noun

1
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

3
4

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
No release information has been announced for the Public School x Air Jordan 15 and Air Max Goadome Cowboy Boot, but they are expected to release as part of the brand’s fall 2026 collection. Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026 The mission was one of five awarded in 2023 to ULA under the NSSF Phase 2 task orders worth $566 million, but the individual value was not released by the DOD. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
Rivers used her professional connection with Event Décor Direct in Deerfield Beach to take money from the event decoration business over a three-month period in 2025, in part by making dozens of fraudulent transactions and credit card purchases, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Thursday. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026 Several news outlets have also reported receiving possible a ransom note requesting money in exchange for Nancy Guthrie’s release. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • In true February college basketball fashion, Tang unleashed his aggravation about his torpedoing season.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • By Jeran Wittenstein and Ryan Vlastelica | Bloomberg The stock market turmoil unleashed by the artificial-intelligence industry reflects two fears that are increasingly at odds.
    Bloomberg, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • People both young and old, lonely and less lonely, those blessed with a family home, and even couples freed up the tram for us.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Lilia, her mother and her aunt try to free a bird that has made its way into the house.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • And when that happens, stool, fluids, and gas get shuttled toward your rectum, from where they can be liberated into the free world.
    Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Milan marked that day by naming a prominent square in the city’s center April 25 Plaza for the day the uprising that liberated Milan began.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Noem held the press conference to pitch the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill requiring individuals to show proof of citizenship before registering to vote and requiring voters show identification before casting their ballot.
    Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 14 Feb. 2026
  • One of the most recent adaptations of the novel, the 2011 version by Andrea Arnold, notably leaned into this aspect of the book by casting the multiracial James Howson as Heathcliff.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This week, three Canadian airlines canceled flights to Cuba after the island’s government announced there would be no jet fuel for planes seeking to refuel at Cuban airports.
    Andrea Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Reds, Lowe reach deal The Cincinnati Reds signed veteran first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to a minor league contract with an invite to major league camp in spring training, the team announced Saturday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Lawrence was sacked five times but hardly seemed to notice, throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for another.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
  • In the end, Spurs have gone for Tudor, out of work since being sacked by Juventus in October, with a strong record of short-term turnarounds.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Amalia was given a nebulizer and a respiratory medication upon her discharge from the hospital, but these were taken away by detention center staff upon her return, the lawsuit states.
    Jack Queen, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Researchers in China have developed new zinc–air batteries that maintain stable charge–discharge operation for over 1,100 hours.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The Dodgers originally acquired Phillips off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays near the end of the 2021 season.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Sac State’s effort to join the FBS was denied in a waiver request to the NCAA last summer.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 16 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on release

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!