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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unlock
Police were able to reach into the window to unlock the door and get the tot out of the car.
—
David Matthews, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
In theory, this would unlock huge efficiency gains, as well as allowing more money to be invested, longer term, in private assets and infrastructure.
—Ian King, CNBC, 25 June 2025
This suggests that remote work, when coupled with good management practices, can unlock even greater productivity gains than those seen in a standard office environment.
—Gleb Tsipursky, Time, 25 June 2025
As Kevin agonized, the 3A customer service reps dangled a solution: Just wire the funds again and unlock your $1.4 million.
—Cezary Podkul, ProPublica, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlock
David Matthews, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
In theory, this would unlock huge efficiency gains, as well as allowing more money to be invested, longer term, in private assets and infrastructure.
—Ian King, CNBC, 25 June 2025
This suggests that remote work, when coupled with good management practices, can unlock even greater productivity gains than those seen in a standard office environment.
—Gleb Tsipursky, Time, 25 June 2025
As Kevin agonized, the 3A customer service reps dangled a solution: Just wire the funds again and unlock your $1.4 million.
—Cezary Podkul, ProPublica, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlock
Verb
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Fewer rules and pages translate to less red tape and less stifling of innovation, potentially unleashing fresh economic dynamism.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The 24-year-old can also unleash a bullet with her left foot, as demonstrated by her screamer against Wales in 2021, her first goal for France.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Artificial implants naturally wear out or loosen with time and activity.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
27 June 2025
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The challenges were steep enough that Georgia has decided to loosen its work verification protocols from monthly to once a year.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
26 June 2025
Verb
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For every container of fireworks arriving at a U.S. port, importers must pay the tariff upfront, before customs even thinks about releasing the goods.—
Richard Howells,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Lyons was released from Tottenham’s youth system at age 16 and fell into depression before dying by suicide 10 years later.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlock. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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