Released learner I rebuked (9)
I believe the answer is:
liberated
'released' is the definition.
('liberate' can be a synonym of 'release')
'learner i rebuked' is the wordplay.
'learner' becomes 'l'.
'rebuked' becomes 'berated' ('berate' can be a synonym of 'rebuke').
'l'+'i'+'berated'='LIBERATED'
(Other definitions for liberated that I've seen before include "Emancipated" , "Free" , "Having stolen" , "Released" , "let loose" .)