release 1 of 2

Definition of releasenext
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

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

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

3
4

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
The main opposition United Progressive Party won only one seat, according to preliminary data released Friday. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026 Colorado Parks and Wildlife released a bald eagle that had been injured back into the wild on Thursday. Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Noun
The embezzlement count has a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026 In county jail, a person serves time locally, often with possibilities for work release, electronic monitoring or early release. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • The departure of tenants unleashed a cascade of financial complications, court files show.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
  • Reaction there to that major Supreme Court ruling this week that has unleashed a new round of mid-decade redistricting after the justices narrowed Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • The songs were radiant, ecstatic, and cleansing, a deep exhale from a band freed from boardroom expectations.
    Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
  • That sentence was later commuted to 27 years, and then by a sixth in a Myanmar New Year amnesty on April 17 that freed her ally and co-defendant Win Myint, the former president.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • During the Iraq War, the popular narrative was that our heroic soldiers and marines were going in to liberate the people, free women, and topple a brutal dictator—the same nonsense we are fed now about Iran.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
  • That audience members, by virtue of access to a camera, keyboard, and the Internet, can capture, compile, edit, frame, and package an event as news without any regard to journalistic ethics is liberating and constraining at the same time.
    Shepherd Mpofu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That gave Washington’s supporters 25 of the 50 seats in the City Council, and with the mayor casting a tiebreaking vote, the stalemate was broken.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
  • On the bright side, the Eta Aquarid's are known to produce the occasional fireball, which could easily pierce the veil of moonlight cast by the lunar disk.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • This year’s game also comes after the Bruins in February announced that the iconic Pasadena stadium would remain their home, at least this year, amid ongoing litigation over the university’s right to potentially break its lease and play home games at SoFi Stadium.
    Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
  • Purchasing restrictions have been announced, and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi has released medical gloves stockpiled for use in a pandemic to alleviate sourcing problems.
    Wendy Cutler, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Andy Sachs (Hathaway) has just been sacked from her respected position as an award-winning reporter at a vital, forward-thinking political news outlet.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
  • While Troy may well have been sacked in a war, historians are largely unwilling to accept that it was ever destroyed by a crack team of Greek soldiers hidden inside a giant wooden horse.
    Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • According to Farmington Police, officers responded to a medical call resulting from discharge of a firearm in the parking lot of 1 Forest Park Drive Tuesday.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was also charged with transportation of a firearm and ammunition through interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, as well as discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And the relatively minor acquisition could be something as basic as the recent claims of Austin Slater and Andy Ibáñez off waivers, or something else that Stearns does in the coming weeks to augment the lineup, perhaps on the infield with the injuries to Lindor, Mauricio and Polanco.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 4 May 2026
  • The city should cut rebuilding red tape with permit amnesty, fee waivers and a dedicated case manager to fast-track rebuilding.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on release

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster