1
as in unleashing
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
2
as in giving way (to)
to find emotional release for
tried to find other ways of releasing tension than by chewing her fingernails
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in freeing
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
release the prisoners immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in saving
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
the new governor finally managed to release himself from his rash campaign promise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in casting
to throw or give off
an air freshener that releases a pleasing scent into the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in announcing
to make known openly or publicly
the panel of nutritionists released their findings on the safety and effectiveness of various diets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in removing
to let go from office, service, or employment
they released the workers who couldn't handle the new technology
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 releasing
The company is also releasing matching green and red versions of its $129 Pixel Buds 2a earbuds.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
When police have acted on leads — searching homes and questioning individuals before releasing them —livestreamers and some media outlets have been quick to share the information.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Authorities are not releasing the name of the suspect or details about what investigators were seeking during the search, citing the need to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 prohibits the IRS from releasing refunds to taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before February 15 each year.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 17 Feb. 2026
If the Dolphins dump Tua Tagovailoa, either trading him to another team or releasing him before training camp and stomaching the massive cap consequences that come with that decision, Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller will be the only quarterbacks on Miami’s training camp roster.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Throughout 2026, Chick-fil-A is releasing new items and freebies as well as bringing back some of the nostalgic and retro classics from the past 80 years.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
More than a week after Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing from her Arizona home in a possible kidnapping, law enforcement brought a man in for questioning before releasing him.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
The timing of a Minions program at these Olympics may be beneficial, as Universal is releasing a new installment of the movie franchise later this summer.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
When police have acted on leads — searching homes and questioning individuals before releasing them —livestreamers and some media outlets have been quick to share the information.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Authorities are not releasing the name of the suspect or details about what investigators were seeking during the search, citing the need to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 prohibits the IRS from releasing refunds to taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before February 15 each year.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 17 Feb. 2026
If the Dolphins dump Tua Tagovailoa, either trading him to another team or releasing him before training camp and stomaching the massive cap consequences that come with that decision, Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller will be the only quarterbacks on Miami’s training camp roster.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Throughout 2026, Chick-fil-A is releasing new items and freebies as well as bringing back some of the nostalgic and retro classics from the past 80 years.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
More than a week after Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing from her Arizona home in a possible kidnapping, law enforcement brought a man in for questioning before releasing him.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
The timing of a Minions program at these Olympics may be beneficial, as Universal is releasing a new installment of the movie franchise later this summer.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for releasing
Verb
-
The mystery has gripped the nation, unleashing both outrage and terror at the prospect of a grandma being so easily swept away in the night.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
As the war enters its fifth year, Ukraine sees no alternative to unleashing these weapons into the world.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Aljorna was able to slip out of his jacket, freeing himself from the agent’s grasp, and ran to his cousin, Goetz said.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The lights in the hallways are on, freeing the staff from the need to shuffle around with flashlights.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now, after a life-saving sonogram, Glanville has revealed that a ruptured pair of breast implants is the true culprit behind her condition.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But that spirit of collaboration might be much harder to forge today, and a body tasked with saving Social Security before 2031 would face significant challenges that the commission of the early ‘80s did not.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But in the opening minutes of his first stop at a local restaurant, the president raised debunked claims of voter fraud, talked up his plan to require voters to show identification before casting ballots, and discussed the recent FBI raid of election offices in the state’s most populous county.—
Jeff Amy,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Commissioners voted 3-1 to remove Sanchez de Fuentes, with Angela Eady casting the sole dissenting vote and Commissioner Jannette Martinez absent.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The masterful composer managed to match director George Lucas' vision with an opening theme that fit the bill, announcing the sea change with a blast of brass that no doubt caused first-time viewers to jump in their seats.—
Alex Galbraith,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The social media post announcing the closure of the bicycle shop received nearly 300 reactions and almost 100 comments from past customers as of Friday.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Similarly, footage showing federal agents killing Alex Pretti revealed the ICU nurse was holding a phone in his right hand, and an officer removing a gun from his back waistband before the shooting.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
In an effort to save Cathy, doctors place leeches over her body in hopes of removing the bad blood.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There's also some evidence that cost discipline is loosening a bit.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Air quality regulations and programs are loosening their restrictions.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For the determined, liberating people’s cars from the ice can mean a quick source of income.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Was that liberating, or more nerve-wracking?—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Releasing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/releasing. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
