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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
Users pay a monthly fee, from $199 to $359 a year, and receive free hardware updates when new models are released. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 10 May 2025 Spring was released on personal recognizance after a Worcester judge entered not guilty pleas on her behalf during an arraignment on Friday. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
Noun
This looked like a man who has spent the season under pressure, worrying, his team not up to its usual standards, and all of that poured out in one moment of emotional release (top picture). Nick Miller, New York Times, 11 May 2025 Now in its third weekend of release, Ben Affleck’s action sequel should pass a $50.8 million domestic total through Sunday. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • The conflict between the army and the RSF has unleashed waves of ethnic violence and created what the United Nations calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with several areas plunged into famine.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
  • Also, both Disney and Paramount have three weeks to unleash their biggest marketing pushes yet.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • The titular daughter, Marya Zaleska, is also a vampire who believes that destroying Dracula’s body will free her of her vampirism.
    James Factora, Them., 2 May 2025
  • In a team which has dominated possession and territory, Firpo has been effectively freed of any defensive duties.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Do what creatively liberates you, don’t cater to the data!
    Elias Leight, Billboard, 6 May 2025
  • Audiences had to liberate a cadre of musicians from hypnosis and do so by concocting scenarios in which the club’s proprietor was continually forced to leave the room.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • In many municipalities, local governing bodies are casting the deciding vote.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2025
  • Production originally planned to cast another actor to play Jacob in the remaining four films.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced emergency legislation to give millions more to county’s schools to maintain core services.
    Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
  • Crypto deals raise questions However, Netanyahu said Israel had agreed only to allow safe passage for Alexander, and its forces would continue recently announced preparations to step up operations there.
    James Mackenzie, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • The seven-time Super Bowl champion was sacked 565 times in 335 games as quarterback, which is good for a 4.48 sack percentage.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
  • Did Elmo get sacked as a result of President Trump’s attempts to defund public media?
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • While federal student loan borrowers are entitled a discharge upon their death, historically that discharge would have been taxable to the estate.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • Advanced cases may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • One policy change might be amending the Medicaid waiver program, which allows states to tailor care and already supports access to family counseling for caregivers.
    Rebecca T Brown, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2025
  • The new Trump administration is now trying a different tactic to eliminate these waivers.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

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