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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

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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 successful sophomore effort came two years after the band — which consists of singer and lead guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andrew Hurley — released their debut album, Take This to Your Grave, in May 2003. Angela Andaloro, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025 The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released the cause or manner of the deaths, conclusions that are in some cases informed by a police investigation. Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
The album will be accompanied by a film that’s set for release in June. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025 Two Michigan grandparents detained in Mexico for over a month because of a timeshare dispute are finally heading home after their daughter pleaded for their release. Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
Verb
  • Ackman has been waging a public campaign to pause the policy for the past week as the market has taken significant hits since the Trump administration unleashed global tariffs on U.S. allies and adversaries.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
  • With 12 shutouts in 14 games and champions of the Boras Classic South, Corona gets to unleash its pitching depth once again.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But the original poster disagreed, arguing that the line was in fact freeing.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • One hand is freed just long enough to hold the receiver when making phone calls.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The policies announced on Liberation Day seem unlikely to liberate investors and business folk from their fears.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Avoiding the dilemma of either yielding to Russian nuclear threats and allowing the loss of NATO territory or risking nuclear escalation in attempting to liberate NATO territory would require conventional defenses capable of halting a Russian incursion at the border.
    Mark S. Bell, Foreign Affairs, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The eight-episode project also has been quietly casting, with relative newcomer Summer H. Howell (Hunter Hunter) in negotiations for the title character, Carrie White, and Siena Agudong (Resident Evil) set as her nemesis, Sue Snell.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In Grand Junction, the new regime cast a fresh eye on the rare fish.
    Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Last week, President Trump, against the advice of almost every professional economist, announced substantial tariffs on almost every country in the world, thereby launching an economic war--a global trade war.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Just last month, Krispy Kreme also announced another collection of limited-time treats as a part of its annual Chocomania celebrations.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Also sacked Thursday was Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, who led both the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, and his deputy, Wendy Noble, who has reportedly been reassigned within the Pentagon.
    Colin Meyn, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
  • He was sacked a whopping 68 times, with the next highest being C.J. Stroud with 52.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Luna, a cosponsor of the bill, moved to bypass leadership and launched a discharge petition, a procedural move that allows a measure to move forward without the speaker's approval, to force a vote on it.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • In light of the deal, sources said Rep. Luna will not trigger her bipartisan discharge petition -- which has 218 signatures -- to allow mothers and fathers to vote remotely for up to 12 weeks after childbirth.
    Lauren Peller, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Travelers who are denied entry to the U.S. have limited legal recourse, but may be able to reapply for a visa or seek an ineligibility waiver.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Alternately, Primack proposes that Chisholm ask for a one-time waiver from the NBA, gambling that the record sticker tag of the sale (which does not even include a stake in the Celtics' home arena, TD Garden) would probably dissuade the league's other owners from turning down such an agreement.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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