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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
By the numbers: In its annual letter released alongside the tender announcement, the company said total payment volume grew 38% in 2024, to $1.4 trillion. Ryan Lawler, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrive on a bus at the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Reuters, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
Virgin Galactic reported a net loss of $347 million in 2024, compared to a $502 million net loss in 2023, with the improvement primarily driven by lower operating expenses, the company said this week in a quarterly earnings release. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025 So naturally, fans were up in arms after its limited-edition release came to a tragic end. Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • The shooting unleashed a flood of online complaints about U.S. health care.
    Alex Harring,Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2025
  • If this production misses some of the heartbreak of the original piece, the chaos unleashed when Serebryakov returns home with his young wife Yelena (Ito Aghayere) in tow creates a lovely sense of intimacy amid the melancholy.
    Karen D'Souza, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Dolphins’ two options would be releasing him (which wouldn’t free up significant cap space until after June 1) or keeping him but with terms of the contract adjusted to save Miami money and cap space.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The inmates took over, killing guards and freeing everyone; Trent helped himself to a dead guard’s uniform, radio and weapon (as well as the knife sticking out of his chest), and used it to pose as a law-enforcement official helping manage the chaos as people flocked to Paradise in their cars.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Artist and rapper Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, herself formerly incarcerated and commissioned to create a new work for the Rikers women, worked with Ringgold, politicians, artists, philanthropists, and corrections officers to liberate the original painting.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Tragically, Hunt notes, the same global commodity that may have helped liberate British women did the opposite for West Africans, who endured the Middle Passage in ever larger numbers to work as slaves in the Caribbean sugar fields and sweeten English tea.
    Marjoleine Kars, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • After nabbing a stand-up role and guest spot on The Cosby Show, he was cast as Coach Walter Oakes on A Different World, per Vanity Fair.
    Emily Krauser, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Music fans cast their votes in a poll published on Friday (Feb. 21) by Billboard, choosing the collaborative track as their favorite new release of the past week.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo officially announced his bid for New York City mayor on Saturday, entering the race with early polling showing strong support for his candidacy.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
  • On Friday night, Andress’ posting of her new version of the anthem on social media — which had not been announced in advance — was starting to draw some favorable responses.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The four-man pass rush generated 16 pressures and sacked Mahomes six times, the most in his career.
    Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The Philadelphia Eagles completely stymied the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense in Super Bowl LIX, sacking Patrick Mahomes and causing three turnovers on their way to a big win.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The mill also created a close-loop water system for zero discharge.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Additionally, eye discharge or tear stains: This can irritate the skin and may need gentle cleaning.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The Heat values Smith, who is recovering from a torn Achilles’, and is reluctant to subject him to waivers.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Judging by the advanced stats, Lawrence fell off in 2024, which likely played into the Rockies’ decision to put him on the waiver wire on Saturday.
    Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

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