release
verb (used with object)
to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; let go.
were releasing
-
past progressiveof release.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
British counterterrorism police said they were releasing five men on bail who where arrested over the foiled attack on a U.K. air base.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
The implication of that is that they didn’t know exactly what they were releasing.
From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2026
GG: It sort of feels as if the Joker were releasing all the inmates at Arkham Asylum.
From Salon ● Nov. 26, 2024
"In fact, our bomb squad member asked me why we were releasing a news release on a rusted piece of metal," he said.
From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2024
They were releasing infected mosquitoes by the billions.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
