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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
Yet not all of those funds had been released, top Senate appropriator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, told CNN in a statement last week. Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025 The movie was released a month after Rogers died in an airplane crash. John Turton, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
Originally slated for a 2026 release, the film is now expected to premiere in December 2027. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025 Hamas has called for a proposal that brings about a comprehensive end to the war in exchange for the release of the hostages. Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • This is especially true when facing the game's many bosses, who often only briefly telegraph their intentions before unleashing attacks that can fill a huge portion of the screen.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Flip that switch, and suddenly every market becomes accessible, and good ideas trapped behind a language wall get unleashed.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Taken together, the two programs free older workers for the flexible opportunities often available with smaller companies or nonprofits with traditionally lower pay.
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
  • This helped free Nacua up for a 24-yard gain into the red zone.
    Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Prize is technically a financial award, not a grant, which liberates recipients to dream, pause, pivot, or scale on their own terms.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Still, not every architect involved has found the project’s carte blanche approach liberating.
    Siobhan Reid, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Nationwide, over 30% of votes were cast in the 2024 presidential election through mail-in ballots, according to the United States Election Assistance Commission.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Then, in June, Lyles cast the tiebreaking vote deciding not to study ways to improve working conditions for airport employees.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Any Mega Millions winners will be posted here once announced by lottery officials.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Upwards of ten thousand fans made the trip each year, but despite the match-up’s popularity and history, the Georgia Tech administration unexpectedly announced its intention to end the series when the contract ran out in the late 1970s.
    Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Beyond the considerable issue of adequately defending the potent Eagles offense, the Chiefs most obviously will seek to better protect Mahomes — who was sacked six times and pressured 16 times without the Eagles blitzing once.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
  • He's also been sacked three times (3) while rushing for a total of negative-three yards on 13 carries (including sacks).
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Consider a hospital team mapping the discharge process.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In tests, batteries using CoFe-2DSA achieved higher energy storage, greater power output, and remarkable stability over thousands of charge-discharge cycles.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Was a waiver granted to allow for the transfer?
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • These licensing waivers are lawful in themselves, but Drake’s lawsuit claims they were weaponized for competitive advantage, raising questions about transparency, favoritism and whether artists outside the major label system can ever truly compete on equal footing.
    Jared Brenner, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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