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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
Cops released photos of the gunman following the incident. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 9 July 2025 The award-winning costume designer will release The Fashion of Clueless (Simon & Schuster) in Oct. 7, now available for preorder on Amazon, Bookshop and other retailers. Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
Noun
Idaho school districts face uncertainty The Boise School District was expecting to receive about $1.5 million of the frozen funding, Superintendent Lisa Roberts said in the news release. Sarah Cutler updated July 10, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2025 Investigators consider this an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • Fewer rules and pages translate to less red tape and less stifling of innovation, potentially unleashing fresh economic dynamism.
    Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The movie brings back several old favorites — including Velociraptors, Dilophosaurus and a T. rex from the original — before unleashing this fresh monstrosity on the handful of characters who make it to the end.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • But the pending Senate bill keeps the door wide open, effectively freeing very wealthy business owners from any cap on their SALT deductions.
    Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Protests in Israel also resumed after a two-week pause during the Israel-Iran war, with demonstrators demanding a deal that would free the hostages still in Gaza.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Determined to liberate Panem, Katniss and her fellow rebels embark on a dangerous journey into the heart of the Capitol to save the nation from President Snow’s tyranny once and for all.
    Kelly Martinez Published, EW.com, 5 July 2025
  • Technology leaders must liberate their technology roadmap to serve the business first and technology vendors last.
    Rob LaMear, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • On July 5, the low angle of the sun will cast prominent shadows along the eastern rim of the impact crater, while highlighting reflective debris streaks known as ejecta rays that were cast out during its creation some 800 million years ago.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 5 July 2025
  • During his Nip/Tuck run, McMahon was cast as the Marvel villain Victor Von Doom, a.k.a.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Murderbot has been renewed for a second season, Apple TV+ announced Thursday.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 11 July 2025
  • In mid-June, HBO Max announced that production on season 2 had begun and is scheduled to premiere in January 2026.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Ange Postecoglou was sacked two weeks later and replaced by Thomas Frank.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 10 July 2025
  • On a stroll through New York City yesterday, Hathaway’s outfit offered a fun solution for not sacking off your denim in the high summer heat just yet.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • What’s more, the former Arecibo Observatory detected electrostatic discharge from GPS satellites, although those bursts were longer-lasting.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
  • Zion Smith, 16, is being charged as an adult on counts of murder, tampering with physical evidence, carrying a dangerous weapon and unlawful discharge of a firearm, Lt. Nicholas Reinert of the Manchester Police Department said in a news release.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio, back in May, issued a 180-day waiver of the Caesar Act sanctions.
    Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 June 2025
  • Below are some teams that could prioritize his services, whether on the waiver wire or the free agent market.
    Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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