as in to unleash
to set free (from a state of being held in check)
that last insult unlocked her tongue, and she finally said what she really thought
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unlock
Wyclef’s passion for empowering young people through music perfectly aligns with our mission to ensure every student, regardless of their background, has access to a music program that inspires creativity and unlocks potential.
—
Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025
This aggressive approach by the Suns unlocks their next six drafts and breaks up their lone tradable first in 2031 into three firsts.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Trump declared a national emergency over the U.S.-Mexico border, which unlocks federal funds to build the border wall and turn back more migrants.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
With approximately 33 million small businesses in the United States alone—accounting for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses, as reported by the U.S. Small Business Administration—enterprises that prioritize selling to small businesses can unlock sustainable growth and a competitive edge.
—Brandon Spear, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlock 
Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025
This aggressive approach by the Suns unlocks their next six drafts and breaks up their lone tradable first in 2031 into three firsts.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Trump declared a national emergency over the U.S.-Mexico border, which unlocks federal funds to build the border wall and turn back more migrants.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
With approximately 33 million small businesses in the United States alone—accounting for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses, as reported by the U.S. Small Business Administration—enterprises that prioritize selling to small businesses can unlock sustainable growth and a competitive edge.
—Brandon Spear, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlock
Verb
-
Young told the Daily News the attacker also had a dog, but his was unleashed.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
-
The big picture: Trump moved to unleash sweeping limits on immigration and asylum soon after taking office last Monday, declaring a national emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border and signing a flurry of executive orders.—
Rebecca Falconer,
Axios,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
What to do: To remove excess hair, cut the hair strands with scissors to loosen them up and pull them out of the brush.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The clearest way for the White House to loosen rules requiring automakers to make more EVs will be to target vehicle fuel efficiency and tailpipe standards.—
Aarian Marshall,
WIRED,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The mall operator releases quarterly numbers after the bell Tuesday.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2025
-
The satellites, group 12-3, will be released in low-Earth orbit to join the growing internet constellation.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unlock
Cite this Entry
“Unlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlock. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share