unlocked; unlocking; unlocks
1
: to unfasten the lock of
3
: to free from restraints or restrictions
the shock unlocked a flood of tears
4
: to furnish a key to : disclose
: to become unfastened or freed from restraints
Synonyms
Examples of unlock in a Sentence
Could you unlock the door for me?
geneticists unlocking the secrets of DNA
The material's potential was unlocked only through extensive testing.
How can I unlock my computer if I've forgotten the password?
This class will unlock your creativity.
Recent Examples on the Web
This new design produces cooler, lower temperature vapor compared to traditional 510 thread devices, unlocking the full spectrum of terpenes and flavors in the underlying vape cartridges.
—
Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024
Take Thursday, which unlocks swiping for one day a week—and then holds a real-life soiree for people to meet.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024
The formula begins with the protagonist unlocking a role in the first stage.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
The approach enables customers to create and maintain a robust cyber strategy, unlocking the skills of each member of their security teams, matching processes and exercises to organizational outcomes, and bridging the gap between cybersecurity and business objectives.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2024
As election officials consider using new AI tools in their day-to-day tasks, the lack of meaningful regulation risks putting some voting access in harm’s way even as AI unlocks time-saving opportunities for short-staffed offices.
—Mekela Panditharatne, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors claim Troconis then moved it around, locking it and unlocking it to continue to show activity.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2024
Get it right and unlock the Burrito Vault to be automatically entered into the Tex-Mex fast casual chain's National Burrito Day sweepstakes.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
Only Microsoft Teams' business licenses unlock the software's advanced features, like certain background options, joining as an avatar, recordings, and screen-sharing control, according to Microsoft's website.
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024
Take Thursday, which unlocks swiping for one day a week—and then holds a real-life soiree for people to meet.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024
The formula begins with the protagonist unlocking a role in the first stage.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
The approach enables customers to create and maintain a robust cyber strategy, unlocking the skills of each member of their security teams, matching processes and exercises to organizational outcomes, and bridging the gap between cybersecurity and business objectives.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2024
As election officials consider using new AI tools in their day-to-day tasks, the lack of meaningful regulation risks putting some voting access in harm’s way even as AI unlocks time-saving opportunities for short-staffed offices.
—Mekela Panditharatne, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors claim Troconis then moved it around, locking it and unlocking it to continue to show activity.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2024
Get it right and unlock the Burrito Vault to be automatically entered into the Tex-Mex fast casual chain's National Burrito Day sweepstakes.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
Only Microsoft Teams' business licenses unlock the software's advanced features, like certain background options, joining as an avatar, recordings, and screen-sharing control, according to Microsoft's website.
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unlock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of unlock was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near unlock
Cite this Entry
“Unlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlock. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on unlock
Nglish: Translation of unlock for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of unlock for Arabic Speakers
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