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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
No focus on broadband affordability Carr's proposal, which was released on Thursday and is scheduled for a vote on August 7, criticized the previous administration's approach. Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025 She's also released multiple albums, rounding out a nearly 40-year career in entertainment. Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
In a historic move, Gordon & MacPhail, the iconic whisky producer and independent bottler based in Elgin, Scotland, has announced the upcoming release of the world’s oldest single malt Scotch whisky. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025 Moreover, some legal experts have said that the release of the grand jury testimony may be a misdirect to appease the public and distract from the other evidence in the case. Meredith Kile, People.com, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • More gossip was unleashed when Albert was photographed with his son Alexandre Grimaldi, daughter Jazmin Grace Grimaldi and Nicole Coste, Alexandre’s mother, in 2023.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • Matteson said another natural disaster could happen living so close to the Guadalupe River, which rose after slow-moving thunderstorms unleashed a summer’s worth of rain in a few hours.
    Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 13 July 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
  • Women were liberated to work and contribute during the war and then were basically told to get back behind the stove.
    Jenelle Riley, Variety, 15 July 2025
  • This era saw the launch of a new generation of media stars liberated from any editorial authority that might submit their assertions to a fact check.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • The new Superman casts questions of power, romance, and decency against a very traditional comic book setting, and so does All Superheroes Need PR.
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • But what to do about all of the votes cast the first week or two?
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey announced an effort to create his department's new strategic plan in April.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 24 July 2025
  • Regarding the scale, frequency, and even existence of spinoffs or sales, Kraft Heinz isn’t setting any deadlines or announcing a calendar.
    Louis Biscotti, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • This is the first time a studio has put tickets for sale this early in advance, but considering Nolan has a loyal army of fans large enough to sack a city, there certainly won’t be any shortage of uptake.
    Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Red Bull driver Max Verstappen backed former boss Christian Horner before he got sacked by the higher-ups at the racing team.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • The Borrower Defense to Repayment program allows borrowers to request a discharge of their federal student loans if their school engaged in certain kinds of misconduct, such as misrepresenting key statistics about admissions selectivity or employment prospects.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • Khanna described growing support for a discharge petition that would force the issue to the House floor.
    Sacha Pfeiffer, NPR, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • But some climate experts and activists in the state, where the vast majority of the coast line is at high risk of erosion and sea level rise, say that such a waiver could place some of New Jersey’s most economically vulnerable residents in harm’s way.
    New York Times, New York Times, 23 July 2025
  • Nations that proactively negotiate visa waivers and nurture reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while the opposite applies to those that are less engaged in such efforts.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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