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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

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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

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
All Building 1 tenants will be released from their leases without penalty, according to the email, which included information about nearby apartment communities that will waive fees for those who wish to move. Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025 New information is being released about a gruesome alligator attack in Florida last month. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Noun
The man, Shirlee Lewis Henkel, was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and died at the age of 45, according to the release. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 June 2025 One person is dead following a fatal crash involving three vehicles in Independence on Friday, according to a news release from Independence Police Department Sgt. Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 June 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
  • Their freedom came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln liberated slaves in the Confederacy by signing the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War.
    Ani Freedman, Fortune, 20 June 2025
  • Despite the temperamental British weather (gray skies and gooseflesh are a seasonal hazard) most of the 40 or 50 bodies at this summer celebration are duly liberated.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 19 June 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
  • Just days ago, Elon Musk announced that Tesla’s Robotaxis would begin official testing in Austin, Texas.
    Utkarsh Sood June 29, New Atlas, 29 June 2025
  • The remaining eight starters for the All-Star Game will also be announced on Monday.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Eight days later, in a game relocated to Glendale, Ariz., because of deadly wildfires in Southern California, Darnold was sacked nine times and had two turnovers (including a fumble returned for touchdown) in a 27-9 loss.
    Michael Silver, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Nix turned the ball over just eight times and was sacked 20 times in those final 13 games.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 17 June 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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