Synonyms of release

release 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈlēs 

1

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

• unleash
• loosen
• unlock
• let go
• express
• loose
• unloose
• uncork
• liberate
• free
• air
• spring
• unloosen
• emancipate
• manumit
• discharge
• unbind
• enfranchise
• uncage
• unshackle
• take out
• unfetter
• unchain
• vent
• unmoor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hold
• check
• control
• contain
• restrain
• regulate
• govern
• inhibit
• curb
• constrain
• rein (in)
• tame
• smother
• bind
• confine
• bridle
• shackle
• handcuff
• hamper
• trammel
• manacle
• fetter
• enchain
• halter

2

as in to give way (to)

to find emotional release for

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unleash
• give way (to)
• take out
• vent
• loose
• express
• act out
• voice
• air
• state
• ventilate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppress
• control
• repress
• handle
• manage
• check
• govern
• contain
• restrain
• hold back
• curb
• constrain
• quell
• pull in
• rein (in)
• tame
• bottle (up)
• smother
• allay
• lull
• inhibit
• swallow
• repress
• quiet
• soothe
• still
• choke
• stifle
• bridle
• strangle
• pocket
• muffle

3

as in to free

to set free (as from slavery or confinement)

release the prisoners immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

• free
• liberate
• rescue
• loosen
• save
• spring
• loose
• emancipate
• discharge
• turn loose
• manumit
• unbind
• enfranchise
• enlarge
• uncage
• parole
• unfetter
• ransom
• unchain
• bail (out)
• disenthrall
• redeem
• disenthral
• deliver
• disengage
• extricate
• disentangle
• disencumber
• unshackle
• disembarrass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bind
• restrain
• confine
• jail
• fetter
• commit
• shackle
• handcuff
• imprison
• incarcerate
• lock (up)
• enchain
• conquer
• intern
• subjugate
• subdue
• enslave
• trammel
• manacle
• immure

4

as in to liberate

to set free from entanglement or difficulty

the new governor finally managed to release himself from his rash campaign promise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• free
• liberate
• save
• redeem
• rescue
• disengage
• cut loose
• extricate
• disentangle
• clear
• deliver
• untangle
• disembarrass
• unravel
• untie
• unburden
• disencumber
• disburden
• unsnarl
• untwine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hinder
• impede
• block
• hamper
• burden
• obstruct
• load
• entangle
• embroil
• weigh
• encumber

5

as in to cast

to throw or give off

an air freshener that releases a pleasing scent into the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cast
• emit
• issue
• radiate
• expel
• shoot
• evolve
• exhale
• eliminate
• send (out)
• discharge
• emanate
• throw out
• pour
• vent
• give out
• expire
• irradiate
• evacuate
• secrete
• excrete
• erupt
• eject
• spray
• exude
• ooze
• spurt
• jet
• gush
• spew
• squirt
• spout
• outpour

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• take up
• absorb
• inhale
• soak (up)
• suck (up)
• sponge

6

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• announce
• publish
• declare
• proclaim
• post
• advertise
• publicize
• promulgate
• disclose
• broadcast
• promote
• run with
• herald
• reveal
• report
• flash
• sound
• give out
• disseminate
• introduce
• blaze
• spread
• blare
• enunciate
• beat the drum (for or about)
• placard
• show
• bulletin
• trumpet
• annunciate
• call (off or out)
• feature
• cry
• blazon
• notify
• bark
• ring
• inform
• divulge
• toll
• manifest
• impart
• bill
• gazette
• blurb
• puff
• plug
• knell
• communicate
• apprise
• hand down
• billboard
• intimate
• kithe
• advise
• pitch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withhold
• suppress
• conceal
• silence
• recall
• revoke
• hush (up)
• retract
• recant

7

as in to sack

to let go from office, service, or employment

they released the workers who couldn't handle the new technology

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sack
• remove
• dismiss
• retire
• fire
• discharge
• terminate
• axe
• can
• ax
• turn off
• bounce
• muster out
• send packing
• pink-slip
• lay off
• excess
• show (someone) the door
• kick out
• separate
• downsize
• cashier
• trim
• furlough
• throw out
• chuck (out)
• unseat
• boot (out)
• drum (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retain
• employ
• hire
• engage
• take on
• keep
• sign (up or on)
• contract
• recruit
• rehire
• reemploy
• subcontract

release

2 of 2

noun

1

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

• discharge
• waiver
• exemption
• delivery
• immunity
• quietus
• dispensation
• quittance

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

• waiver
• exemption
• quitclaim
• disclaimer
• dispensation
• indemnity
• surrender
• relinquishment
• renunciation
• abdication
• renouncement
• handover

3

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

• announcement
• advertisement
• ad
• posting
• bulletin
• notice
• notification
• report
• advertising
• communiqué
• brochure
• advert
• publicity
• sign
• poster
• message
• broadcast
• flyer
• commercial
• declaration
• billing
• bill
• circular
• promotion
• gazette
• dispatch
• handbill
• flier
• proclamation
• blurb
• placard
• communication
• promulgation
• campaign
• telecast
• handout
• buildup
• pitch
• billboard
• fly sheet
• pronouncement
• show bill
• come-on
• newscast
• broadside
• edict
• promo
• propaganda
• spot
• plug
• rescript
• boost
• word
• playbill
• signification
• cablecast
• plugola
• pronunciamento
• annunciation
• ballyhoo

4

as in relief

reduction of or freedom from pain

only sleep offered any release from the agony of the migraine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relief
• alleviation
• ease
• decrease
• comfort
• mitigation
• moderation
• appeasement
• mollification
• soothing
• diminishment
• assuagement
• calming
• salving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discomfort
• unrest
• suffering
• torture
• anguish
• misery
• torment
• agony
• pain
• sting
• stitch
• ache
• prick
• pang
• twinge
• throe
• tingle
• smart

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

Recent Examples of release

Verb

Speaking on an episode of New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, released Wednesday, Feb. 12, An emotional Jason wanted to clarify his loyalties between the Eagles and Chiefs. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025

Connections is released at midnight in your time zone. —New York Times Games, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

Noun

In return for the hostages’ release, Israel began releasing 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 36 serving life sentences for deadly attacks. —Greg Norman, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025

The new guidelines are scheduled for release by the end of 2025, said Andrew G. Nixon, spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025