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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

Examples 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
President-elect Donald Trump wasted no time releasing his picks for Cabinet positions, choosing a range of disruptors, loyalists, and prominent names. Andi Shae Napier, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024 Branch just released the Ergonomic Chair Pro, which supposedly improves on the original in several ways. Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
Lamar achieved the feat through digital-only downloads and streaming numbers, with physical releases due in early 2025. Thomas Smith, Billboard, 29 Nov. 2024 Smooth chip updates: AMD needs to successfully carry out its annual release cycle for AI chips. Paulina Likos, CNBC, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for release 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • Thus, we are dropped into Numidia, a colony in Northern Africa circa 196 A.D., where a young man named Lucius (Paul Mescal) is about to unleash hell on the Roman navy.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Instead of tariffs, Trump should focus on his other campaign promises—pro-growth tax reforms that encourage innovation and regulatory reforms that unleash energy production and new construction.
    Adam A. Millsap, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Where labor costs are high, even one self-checkout can free up a cashier for other important roles like stocking shelves or providing customer service; duties that, unlike checkouts, haven’t yet been automated.
    Mustafa Khanwala, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Birmingham names new mayor as city settles deal with controversial senior tower More:Michigan teen tied to deputy's killing freed on $10K cash bail, igniting debate on reform Officials evacuated at least 15 of the condo units, Barnett said.
    Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Indoctrination of a Nation, about Russians living under the Putin regime; and D-Day: 100 Days for Freedom, from Zed Productions, a deep dive into the military campaign that liberated France from the Nazis.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
  • In the space of a week, Ukraine liberated almost 1,000 square miles, reclaiming nearly the entire region and half of the territories occupied by Russia since the start of the invasion.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Like the popular athlete of the week ballots, voters may cast a ballot once an hour until the 2 p.m. deadline on Fridays.
    Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The setting sun cast its rays over the seed heads in the background, creating this striking effect.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Her identification was announced in April 2024, six months after Doyle joined the NYPD full time.
    Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2024
  • But the company changed course, announcing the move in February during its fiscal first quarter earnings call.
    Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Williams was sacked on the next play and that’s when things went haywire.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024
  • Dallas pulled away in the second half, starting with an Eric Kendricks sack on the Giants’ opening possession that forced Lock to lose a fumble.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The magistrates accepted all of these arguments and gave me the lowest possible outcome (a discharge) available.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024
  • Importantly, none of the 19 patients who received opioids while recovering in the hospital post-op required further opioid prescriptions at discharge.
    Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • On August 14, 2024, the company's Board of Directors approved a Debt Forgiveness Agreement with a former shareholder, resulting in the waiver of all debt owed to the shareholder.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Ultimately, the environmental benefit allowed Caltrain to receive a waiver by the air quality management district to keep the locomotives in operation.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near release

Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

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