release 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈlēs How to pronounce release (audio)
Definition of releasenext
1
as in to unleash
to set free (from a state of being held in check) the losing player released his anger with a great yell of frustration

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to give way (to)
to find emotional release for tried to find other ways of releasing tension than by chewing her fingernails

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to free
to set free (as from slavery or confinement) release the prisoners immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to liberate
to set free from entanglement or difficulty the new governor finally managed to release himself from his rash campaign promise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to cast
to throw or give off an air freshener that releases a pleasing scent into the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to announce
to make known openly or publicly the panel of nutritionists released their findings on the safety and effectiveness of various diets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to sack
to let go from office, service, or employment they released the workers who couldn't handle the new technology

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

release

2 of 2

noun

1
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
3
as in announcement
a published statement informing the public of a matter of general interest a press release announcing that the governor would not run for a second term

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in relief
reduction of or freedom from pain only sleep offered any release from the agony of the migraine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Bay Area added 15,000 jobs in January, gains that accounted for a significant portion of positions added throughout California during the first month of the year, a new state government report released Friday shows. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026 On March 17th, Shailin received a phone call from Ali, who told her he had been released. —Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Bondi was a strident in her combative defense of the president in congressional hearings, but she was embattled over her handling of the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026 Neon opens the film in New York and Los Angeles on April 10, with a nationwide release starting April 17. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for release
Recent Examples of Synonyms for release
  1. unleash
  2. free
  3. liberate
  4. cast
  5. announce
  6. sack
  7. discharge
  8. waiver
Verb
  • This crisis is a direct result of chaos unleashed on the American people by Democrats in Congress.
    — Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
  • After a quick hit-ahead pass, Mullins got the ball back and unleashed a 35-foot 3-pointer for the win.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of unleash
Verb
  • He has been freed from jail after posting $50,000 bail and is next due in court at the end of the month.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • At a crowded news conference, boisterous supporters chanted to free Sarsour, recounting his advocacy for those in need.
    — Sophia Tareen, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of free
Verb
  • Get them, and liberate your ears with epic sound.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
  • On Shabbat, the Acheinu, a prayer for liberating those held in captivity, was recited from the bimah, an elevated platform where sermons are often delivered.
    — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of liberate
Verb
  • While the lunar far side will be only partially lit during the flyby, the lighting is set to cast long shadows that highlight craters, ridges, and slopes in greater detail.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
  • After some rain earlier in the day, a magnificent sunset broke through the clouds and cast a rainbow into the sky.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of cast
Verb
  • Gracie Hunt, daughter of Kansas City Chiefs CEO and owner Clark Hunt and his wife, Tavia Hunt, announced her engagement on Holy Saturday with a Bible verse.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Thousands of striking employees will return to work at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley next week after the company agreed to return to the negotiating table, union officials announced Saturday evening.
    — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of announce
Verb
  • He was sacked a league-leading 55 times and threw the most interceptions (17) while the Raiders finished tied for the worst record (3-14).
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Some vocal Brighton supporters called for Hurzeler to be sacked after a 1-0 home defeat by rivals Crystal Palace on February 8.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of sack
Noun
  • The internal medicine specialist said that, while health screenings have been the main services offered in the two mobile clinics to date, the plan is to use these resources to research how the ability to visit patients can help close the treatment loop after discharge.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
  • He is also accused of felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.
    — Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of discharge
Noun
  • The waiver takes effect May 1 and will last through May 20 but it could be extended, Zeldin said.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
  • This new waiver will apply to all future phases of the development, including the second research and innovation building, the gateway building and the performance and visual arts building planned.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of waiver

Browse Nearby Words

relays
release
released
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Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/release. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on release

Nglish: Translation of release for Spanish Speakers

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