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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

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
Cops released photos of the gunman following the incident. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 9 July 2025 The award-winning costume designer will release The Fashion of Clueless (Simon & Schuster) in Oct. 7, now available for preorder on Amazon, Bookshop and other retailers. Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
Noun
Idaho school districts face uncertainty The Boise School District was expecting to receive about $1.5 million of the frozen funding, Superintendent Lisa Roberts said in the news release. Sarah Cutler updated July 10, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2025 Investigators consider this an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 10 July 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
  • In August 1900, white civilians and white cops rioted as one, unleashing two days of indiscriminate attacks against dozens of Black Hell’s Kitchen residents using lead pipes, guns, knives, fists, and billy clubs in what remains one of the largest explosions of racist violence in city history.
    Erin Quinlan, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The raptor stayed on top of her, even as the woman’s partner tried to free her.
    Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
  • And, of course, using social media less could also free up more time for parents to spend playing with their kids.
    Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Determined to liberate Panem, Katniss and her fellow rebels embark on a dangerous journey into the heart of the Capitol to save the nation from President Snow’s tyranny once and for all.
    Kelly Martinez Published, EW.com, 5 July 2025
  • Technology leaders must liberate their technology roadmap to serve the business first and technology vendors last.
    Rob LaMear, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • In sport, as in life, the idea of failure is often cast as a villain—something to be denied, delayed or danced around.
    Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 5 July 2025
  • Significantly more information is missed every day without a wider net for data being cast across South County communities.
    Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • President Donald Trump's administration announced sweeping new restrictions on access to federal benefits for undocumented immigrants.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • The fitness instructor and TV icon died as a result of blunt traumatic injuries, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office announced two months later.
    Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • At least one department, the Department of Veterans Affairs, has massively scaled back a plan to sack more than 76,000 employees.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 10 July 2025
  • On a stroll through New York City yesterday, Hathaway’s outfit offered a fun solution for not sacking off your denim in the high summer heat just yet.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Those who sign up for military service become legally obligated to complete preset time commitments (with few exceptions for early discharge).
    Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Surveys show over 20% of physicians now use AI for writing progress notes or discharge summaries.
    Turgay Ayer, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Graham has said the president would be allowed to waive the sanctions, for 180 days, and could also renew a waiver.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 14 July 2025
  • If one or more can emerge this summer, perhaps the Panthers can take it easy on the waiver wire ahead of Week 1.
    Mike Kaye July 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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