Free
Free verb - To set free (as from slavery or confinement).
Usage example: a global crusade to free Nelson Mandela from a South African prison had emerged
Release is a synonym for free in liberate topic. In some cases you can use "Release" instead the word "Free" as a verb or a noun, when it comes to topics like action, clear, discharge, excuse. popular alternative
Release
Release verb - To set free (from a state of being held in check).
Usage example: the losing player released his anger with a great yell of frustration
Free is a synonym for release in action topic. You can use "Free" instead a verb "Release", if it concerns topics such as discharge, excuse, loose, disengage. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- The Cold Stream DLC had been delayed for several months, causing Xbox 360 players to blame Valve for delaying the DLC for so long and demand that they should be allowed to help in testing the beta for free or release the DLC for free.
Source: Mis Blamed / Video Games -
Their release of DoDonPachi Resurrection is also region-free for America and Europe, meaning other non-Japanese fans can get in on the action.
Source: Creator / CAVE aka: Cave -
Take Me Instead: When Katniss contacts President Snow as a means to try to serve a distraction from the rescue mission to free Peeta and the other Tribute hostages, she offers herself, telling him "release Peeta and take me instead." He replies that they're long past the point for noble sacrifices.
Cite this Source
Release and Free. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/free/release
Free & Release. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/free/release>.
Release or Free. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/free/release.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "free" and "release" have occurred on timeline