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Definition of releasenext
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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
The person’s identity was not released. Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2026 Police released photos of the man and are asking for the public’s help identifying him. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026
Noun
Sanctions relief and release of the frozen Iranian assets of approximately $12 billion to $24 billion indirectly, are perhaps the most combustible near-term issues. Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 But one of his favorite gamefish to target is northern pike, mostly because pike are better eating than walleyes (not to mention that the Griz’s stretch of the Mississippi is all catch-and-release for walleye). Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • In Tennessee, a pickup truck carrying about 1 million bees overturned near Knoxville in April, unleashing a swarm that blanketed the crash scene.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • In contrast to missteps domestically, Starmer has won praise for his international role, notably in rallying European support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion, and working to mitigate the economic and political turmoil unleashed by the Iran conflict.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Instead, Meledandri freed filmmakers and animators to make movies about antic antiheroes.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 June 2026
  • The group issued a point-by-point analysis of the memorandum, criticizing it for potentially freeing up tens of billions of dollars for Iran without putting sufficient safeguards to ensure the country won’t use the money to fund operations against the United States.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Harvard’s research confirms that AI liberates managers from coordination and relay tasks, freeing them for judgment, contextual intelligence, and human connection that no system can replicate.
    Brett Hurt, Fortune, 23 June 2026
  • He is liberated from the constraints of [Republican leaders like] a Paul Ryan or a Mitch McConnell.
    Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Early voting in Maryland's 2026 primary election ended Thursday, as hundreds of thousands of ballots have already been cast across Maryland.
    Bryant Reed, CBS News, 19 June 2026
  • But off the coast of Georgia and neighboring states, a reportedly robust red snapper population has recreational anglers casting for a longer catch season after 15 years of restrictions that limited fishing to four days or less each summer.
    Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly considering stepping down and could announce a timetable for his departure as early as Monday, according to a report published Saturday.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2026
  • Pakistan has operated as a major mediator in US-Iran talks since a ceasefire was first announced.
    Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • He was sacked in December 2024 after winning just twice in the Premier League to begin the 2024-25 campaign.
    Sam Joseph, New York Times, 23 June 2026
  • The result was so emphatic that the Tunisian soccer federation acted fast, sacking manager Sabri Lamouchi just hours after.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Each wash cycle may seem insignificant on its own, but over time, the cumulative effect of detergent use, water discharge, and packaging waste becomes substantial.
    Zachary Reed, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
  • This involves teaching people how to change sleep, eating and stress habits and supporting them between visits, where the real change happens, rather than handing out a pamphlet at discharge.
    Kristian Ranta, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Under the law, California is able to set these stricter standards through a waiver from the EPA.
    Haley Parsley June 22, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
  • The plan would also eliminate fee waivers for citizenship cases, as well as a fee reduction option for immigrants whose household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty line.
    Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

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