release
1 of 3verb (1)
re·lease ri-ˈlēs 
released; releasing
transitive verb
1
: to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude
release hostages
release pent-up emotions
release the brakes
also : to let go : dismiss
released from her job
2
: to relieve from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses
was released from her promise
3
: to give up in favor of another : relinquish
release a claim to property
4
: to give permission for publication, performance, exhibition, or sale of
also : to make available to the public
the commission released its findings
release a new movie
intransitive verb
: to move from one's normal position (as in football or basketball) in order to assume another position or to perform a second assignment
releasable
ri-ˈlē-sə-bəl
adjective release
2 of 3noun
1
: relief or deliverance from sorrow, suffering, or trouble
2
a
: discharge from obligation or responsibility
b(1)
: relinquishment of a right or claim
(2)
: an act by which a legal right is discharged
specifically : a conveyance of a right in lands or tenements to another having an estate in possession
3
a
: the act or an instance of liberating or freeing (as from restraint)
b
: the act or manner of concluding a musical tone or phrase
c
: the act or manner of ending a sound : the movement of one or more vocal organs in quitting the position for a speech sound
d
: the action or manner of throwing a ball
has a quick release
4
: an instrument effecting a legal release
5
: the state of being freed
6
: a device adapted to hold or release a mechanism as required
7
a
: the act of permitting performance or publication
also : performance, publication
became a bestseller on its release
b
: the matter released
especially : a statement prepared for the press
re-lease
3 of 3verb (2)
(ˌ)rē-ˈlēs
re-leased; re-leasing; re-leases
transitive verb
: to lease again
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- loose
- loosen
- uncork
- unleash
- unlock
- unloose
- unloosen
Noun
- delivery
- discharge
- quietus
- quittance
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb (1) The hostages have been released. The judge released the prisoner. The lion was released from its cage. There is a lot of controversy over whether or not wolves should be released into the park. I released my son's hand, and he ran out onto the playground. The factory faced serious fines for releasing dangerous chemicals into the river. Heat is released into the atmosphere by cars. During exercise, the body releases chemicals in the brain that make you feel better. She started to cry, releasing all of her repressed emotion. Exercise is a good way to release stress. Noun the release of the hostages The prisoner is eligible for early release. There was a controversy over the release of wolves into the park. The prisoner was given an early release. the release of heat into the atmosphere Exercise triggers the release of chemicals in the brain that make you feel better. an accidental release of pollutants into the river They've filed a request for release from the contract. They're requesting a release from their contractual obligations. The release of the book is scheduled for next month. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 9 Sep. 2022 An officer, who said he’s trying to be empathetic, said detectives must release information to her. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2022 The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information to journalists. The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Aug. 2022 Those figures are expected to rise, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information to journalists. Fox News, 30 Aug. 2022 The Justice Department was ordered to release more details of the warrant in the Burr investigation. Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 Ballerini is currently gearing up to release her album Subject to Change, out Sept. 23 via Black River Entertainment. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2022 That’s likely when Apple will release iOS 16 as well. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 17 Aug. 2022 My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgement, a place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking, a place to scream, release, feel freedom. Bianca London, Glamour, 29 July 2022 Rosana Hughes, ajc, 11 Sep. 2022 Hurlock said signing the release is not an option, and neither is returning to Bacon Academy. Alison Cross, Hartford Courant, 10 Sep. 2022 But a limited theatrical release may be a mistake, judging by the reception in the room. Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 The university previously gave the same deal to families earning less than $65,000 a year, according to a Princeton news release. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 The project, which will begin in 2023, will coincide with the broadening of existing courses, as well as the addition of new ones that will expand what UAFS has to offer students in the field of art and design, the news release states. Thomas Saccente, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2022 The film is getting the widest Imax domestic release ever for a Bollywood movie. Pamela Mcclintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2022 One imagines, by the way, that Netflix’s weekly Top 10 lists would look a lot different following a move to more weekly release schedules. Andy Meek, BGR, 10 Sep. 2022 The hope then was that the films would see release in 2014 and 2015. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2022 See More
Verb
Notably, those types of hurricanes can produce strong swells that release dangerous rip currents to local beaches and shore areas. Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 9 Sep. 2022 An officer, who said he’s trying to be empathetic, said detectives must release information to her. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2022 The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information to journalists. The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Aug. 2022 Those figures are expected to rise, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information to journalists. Fox News, 30 Aug. 2022 The Justice Department was ordered to release more details of the warrant in the Burr investigation. Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 Ballerini is currently gearing up to release her album Subject to Change, out Sept. 23 via Black River Entertainment. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2022 That’s likely when Apple will release iOS 16 as well. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 17 Aug. 2022 My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgement, a place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking, a place to scream, release, feel freedom. Bianca London, Glamour, 29 July 2022 Noun
Officers were called to 91 Peachtree St. around 2 a.m. and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds, a news release states. Rosana Hughes, ajc, 11 Sep. 2022 Hurlock said signing the release is not an option, and neither is returning to Bacon Academy. Alison Cross, Hartford Courant, 10 Sep. 2022 But a limited theatrical release may be a mistake, judging by the reception in the room. Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 The university previously gave the same deal to families earning less than $65,000 a year, according to a Princeton news release. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 The project, which will begin in 2023, will coincide with the broadening of existing courses, as well as the addition of new ones that will expand what UAFS has to offer students in the field of art and design, the news release states. Thomas Saccente, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2022 The film is getting the widest Imax domestic release ever for a Bollywood movie. Pamela Mcclintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2022 One imagines, by the way, that Netflix’s weekly Top 10 lists would look a lot different following a move to more weekly release schedules. Andy Meek, BGR, 10 Sep. 2022 The hope then was that the films would see release in 2014 and 2015. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English relesen, from Anglo-French relesser, from Latin relaxare to relax
Noun
Middle English reles, from Anglo-French, from relesser
First Known Use
Verb (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
1828, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing release
Kids Definition
release 1 of 2
verb
re·lease ri-ˈlēs
released; releasing
1
: to set free or let go of
The fish was caught and released.
He released his hold on the rope.
2
: to allow to escape
The factory released chemicals into the river.
3
: to relieve from a duty, responsibility, or burden
She released him from his promise.
4
: to give up or hand over to someone else
I released my claim.
5
: to permit to be published, sold, or shown
The movie will be released next month.
release
2 of 2noun
1
: the act of setting free or letting go
release of a prisoner
2
: the act of allowing something to escape
the release of smoke
3
: a discharge from an obligation or responsibility
4
: relief or rescue from sorrow, suffering, or trouble
release from pain
5
: a device for holding or releasing a mechanism
6
: the act of making something available to the public
7
: something (as a new product or song) that is made available to the public
Legal Definition
release 1 of 2
transitive verb
re·lease
released; releasing
1
a
: to relieve or free from obligation, liability, or responsibility
the debtor is released from all dischargeable debts
b
: to give up (a claim, title, or right) to the benefit of another person : surrender
2
: to set free from confinement
was released on personal recognizance
release
2 of 2noun
1
a
: discharge from an obligation or responsibility that bars a cause of action
did not effect a release of the school for any negligence
b
: the giving up or renunciation of a right or claim that bars a cause of action
was a release of the remainder of the debt
Note: A release may in some situations require consideration in order to be valid. A release of one joint obligor sometimes is considered to release all the obligors.
2
: an act or instrument that effects a release
signed a release issued by the insurer
called also release of all claims
compare hold harmless3
: the act or instance of freeing especially from custody
release 1 of 2
verb
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
- unleash
- loosen
- unlock
- loose
- let go
- unloose
- express
- air
- spring
- uncork
- free
- liberate
- unloosen
- emancipate
- discharge
- unbind
- manumit
- uncage
- enfranchise
- unshackle
- take out
- unfetter
- vent
- unchain
- unmoor
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hold
- check
- control
- contain
- restrain
- regulate
- govern
- inhibit
- curb
- constrain
- rein (in)
- smother
- tame
- bind
- confine
- bridle
- shackle
- handcuff
- hamper
- trammel
- manacle
- fetter
- enchain
- halter
2
as in to loose
to find emotional release for tried to find other ways of releasing tension than by chewing her fingernails Synonyms & Similar Words
- unleash
- loose
- act out
- take out
- air
- vent
- express
- voice
- give way (to)
- state
- ventilate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- control
- suppress
- repress
- handle
- manage
- check
- govern
- hold back
- contain
- restrain
- bottle (up)
- curb
- constrain
- quell
- rein (in)
- lull
- tame
- smother
- repress
- allay
- inhibit
- swallow
- still
- pull in
- choke
- soothe
- bridle
- quiet
- stifle
- pocket
- strangle
- muffle
3
as in to free
to set free (as from slavery or confinement) release the prisoners immediately Synonyms & Similar Words
- free
- liberate
- rescue
- spring
- discharge
- loosen
- loose
- emancipate
- save
- manumit
- uncage
- turn loose
- unbind
- parole
- unfetter
- unchain
- enfranchise
- disenthrall
- ransom
- enlarge
- deliver
- redeem
- disenthral
- disengage
- extricate
- bail (out)
- disencumber
- unshackle
- disentangle
- disembarrass
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- restrain
- bind
- confine
- jail
- commit
- fetter
- shackle
- handcuff
- imprison
- lock (up)
- enchain
- conquer
- intern
- subjugate
- enslave
- subdue
- trammel
- manacle
- incarcerate
- immure
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
- free
- liberate
- save
- redeem
- rescue
- disengage
- cut loose
- extricate
- clear
- disentangle
- deliver
- untangle
- disembarrass
- unravel
- untie
- disencumber
- disburden
- unburden
- untwine
- unsnarl
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hinder
- impede
- hamper
- block
- load
- burden
- obstruct
- entangle
- embroil
- weigh
- encumber
5
as in to cast
to throw or give off an air freshener that releases a pleasing scent into the room Synonyms & Similar Words
- cast
- issue
- emit
- exhale
- expel
- discharge
- evolve
- radiate
- shoot
- eliminate
- throw out
- emanate
- vent
- pour
- give out
- expire
- send (out)
- evacuate
- irradiate
- secrete
- eject
- spray
- excrete
- erupt
- exude
- ooze
- spurt
- gush
- spew
- outpour
- jet
- squirt
- spout
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- take up
- absorb
- inhale
- soak (up)
- suck (up)
- sponge
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
- announce
- publish
- post
- declare
- proclaim
- publicize
- advertise
- promulgate
- disclose
- broadcast
- promote
- run with
- report
- herald
- reveal
- flash
- sound
- disseminate
- placard
- give out
- trumpet
- introduce
- blare
- feature
- blaze
- spread
- bulletin
- show
- enunciate
- ring
- bill
- annunciate
- blurb
- beat the drum (for or about)
- divulge
- bark
- cry
- notify
- manifest
- toll
- blazon
- inform
- gazette
- impart
- plug
- billboard
- puff
- hand down
- knell
- communicate
- apprise
- call (off or out)
- intimate
- kithe
- pitch
- advise
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- withhold
- suppress
- conceal
- silence
- recall
- revoke
- retract
- hush (up)
- recant
7
as in to remove
to let go from office, service, or employment they released the workers who couldn't handle the new technology Synonyms & Similar Words
- remove
- sack
- dismiss
- retire
- fire
- discharge
- terminate
- can
- muster out
- turn off
- bounce
- ax
- send packing
- lay off
- excess
- axe
- show (someone) the door
- kick out
- cashier
- pink-slip
- separate
- throw out
- furlough
- trim
- downsize
- unseat
- drum (out)
- chuck (out)
- boot (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- retain
- employ
- hire
- take on
- engage
- keep
- sign (up or on)
- contract
- recruit
- reemploy
- rehire
- subcontract
release
2 of 2noun
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
- discharge
- waiver
- exemption
- delivery
- immunity
- dispensation
- quietus
- quittance
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
- waiver
- quitclaim
- surrender
- dispensation
- exemption
- relinquishment
- renouncement
- renunciation
- indemnity
- handover
- disclaimer
- abdication
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
- announcement
- advertisement
- ad
- posting
- bulletin
- notice
- notification
- report
- advertising
- communiqué
- brochure
- advert
- publicity
- sign
- commercial
- poster
- declaration
- broadcast
- message
- flyer
- billing
- promotion
- dispatch
- circular
- gazette
- blurb
- bill
- proclamation
- promulgation
- buildup
- fly sheet
- show bill
- flier
- handbill
- telecast
- campaign
- communication
- placard
- handout
- pronouncement
- pitch
- promo
- billboard
- edict
- playbill
- newscast
- broadside
- cablecast
- boost
- propaganda
- plug
- rescript
- spot
- word
- pronunciamento
- signification
- come-on
- plugola
- annunciation
- ballyhoo
4
as in relief
reduction of or freedom from pain only sleep offered any release from the agony of the migraine Synonyms & Similar Words
- relief
- ease
- alleviation
- decrease
- mitigation
- comfort
- mollification
- soothing
- moderation
- assuagement
- appeasement
- calming
- diminishment
- salving
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discomfort
- suffering
- unrest
- torture
- anguish
- misery
- torment
- pain
- agony
- sting
- stitch
- ache
- prick
- pang
- twinge
- throe
- tingle
- smart
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
While in some cases nearly identical to release, liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty.
liberated their country from the tyrant
Although the words manumit and release have much in common, manumit implies emancipation from slavery.
the document manumitted the slaves