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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
His bond is set at $2,500, though jail records show U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement put an immigration hold on him, meaning he can be held for an additional 48 hours from his release date. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025 PayPal said Tuesday in its first-quarter earnings release that revenue at Venmo increased 20% year-over-year in the first quarter, though the company didn’t provide a dollar figure. Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 29 Apr. 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
  • Their gap-heavy, switch-heavy approach — designed to limit his runway to the paint — freed up Minnesota’s other players to shine.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 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
  • The Emmy-winning historical drama will officially return for Season 2, FX announced on Wednesday, with physical production scheduled to begin in January in Vancouver.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Vanya, starring Olivier Award winner Andrew Scott playing all the play’s characters, has recouped its initial investment, producers announced today.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The system favoured by the new Coach appears to have no space for the Brazil native, who has played just four minutes since Thiago Motta was sacked.
    Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The vast majority are unceremoniously sacked after losing their grip.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Food worker with discharge from eyes, nose and/or throat.
    Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Effects from the other types include painful, red eyes with yellow discharge, a sore throat, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, a dry cough, difficulty breathing, sharp chest pain and weight loss.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The new Trump administration is now trying a different tactic to eliminate these waivers.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025
  • The Yankees added some outfield depth on Thursday afternoon, claiming Bryan De La Cruz off waivers from the Braves.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 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 13 May. 2025.

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