RELEASE Synonyms: 356 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

release 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈlēs

Definition of release next

as in to unleash

to set free (from a state of being held in check) the losing player released his anger with a great yell of frustration

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to give way (to)

to find emotional release for tried to find other ways of releasing tension than by chewing her fingernails

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to free

to set free (as from slavery or confinement) release the prisoners immediately

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to liberate

to set free from entanglement or difficulty the new governor finally managed to release himself from his rash campaign promise

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cast

to throw or give off an air freshener that releases a pleasing scent into the room

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as in to announce

to make known openly or publicly the panel of nutritionists released their findings on the safety and effectiveness of various diets

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as in to sack

to let go from office, service, or employment they released the workers who couldn't handle the new technology

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release

2 of 2

noun

as in discharge

a freeing from an obligation or responsibility because they had legally declared bankruptcy, they received release from their debt

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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

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as in announcement

a published statement informing the public of a matter of general interest a press release announcing that the governor would not run for a second term

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in relief

reduction of or freedom from pain only sleep offered any release from the agony of the migraine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

This is an alarming number of iPhone users that have not installed security fixes that Apple released a full 6 weeks ago. —

Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026 Her identity was not released Friday. —

Jason Green, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026

Noun

Chris Leahy said in a news release. —

Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026 Here, Seyfried captures the inner conflict of Ann Lee’s torment and trauma along with the ecstatic release of her religious practice. —

Mark Olsen, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for release

Recent Examples of Synonyms for release

Verb

For example, the higher estimates for the infamous August 2013 East Ghoutta chemical weapons attack, which saw sarin nerve gas unleashed on an urban civilian area, are 1,500 dead.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The societies that can advance to the frontiers of the productive power that capitalism unleashes while maintaining their coherence and élan advance to the front of the race for international status and power.

— Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026

Definition of unleash

Browse Nearby Words

relays

release

released

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Style

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

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Last Updated: 28 Jan 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of release

verb

noun

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