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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
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
  • Trump has vowed to unleash more American energy by rolling back many Biden-era regulations.
    William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Policymakers rushed to unleash a flurry of stimulus measures last September when the economy was at risk of missing the government’s target of around 5%.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The man who ordered the attack was recently freed in the ceasefire-hostages deal.
    Zeena Saifi, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
  • In the fall, massive interest in the Menendez case and freeing the brothers erupted following the runaway success of Ryan Murphy‘s Netflix limited seroes Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story.
    Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 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
  • The voice cast is superb right down the line, especially Harrelson’s Mr. Peanut.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
  • And casting supplements and drugs as comparable to, or even preferable to, prevention is especially dangerous for a disease that has no cure or antivirals.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Sheriffs also announced Friday that both Hackman and Arakawa's bodies tested negative for carbon monoxide, ruling out poisoning from the gas.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The Heat announced that X-rays on Jaquez’s injured ankle returned negative.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 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
  • Each volunteer must complete an information form and a liability waiver.
    Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 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 12 Mar. 2025.

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