unfreeze

verb

un·​freeze ˌən-ˈfrēz How to pronounce unfreeze (audio)
unfroze ˌən-ˈfrōz How to pronounce unfreeze (audio) ; unfrozen ˌən-ˈfrō-zᵊn How to pronounce unfreeze (audio) ; unfreezing

transitive verb

1
: to cause to thaw
2
: to remove from a freeze
unfreeze wages

Examples of unfreeze in a Sentence

We can't wait until the ground unfreezes so we can start gardening. The warm weather unfroze the lake. The Justice Department agreed to unfreeze the company's assets. I had to wait for my computer to unfreeze before I could read my e-mail. He helped me to unfreeze my computer.
Recent Examples on the Web The Biden administration said the tax credits would help unfreeze the real estate market and make homebuying more affordable for millions. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 Now, the new Polish government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk pledges to restore the country's independent judiciary, and hopes to unfreeze those EU funds. Rob Schmitz, NPR, 26 Feb. 2024 Republicans in the House and Senate blasted the Biden administration for unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian assets just weeks before the attack occurred. Peter Aitken, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2023 And on the European stage, Tusk will hope to soon unfreeze funds for Poland that were blocked by the European Union over PiS’ degradation of the rule of law. Rob Picheta, CNN, 27 Jan. 2024 During those periods, the ground on summits would unfreeze sufficiently for the Incas to build their sites and bury their offerings. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Dec. 2023 The Biden administration has faced strong criticism for its role in a prisoner swap that involved unfreezing $6 billion in funds for Iran, a plan announced earlier this year. Greg Norman, Fox News, 10 Oct. 2023 But there are billions more in funds that the administration has allowed to go to Iran, including a recent waiver to unfreeze $10 billion previously held by Iraq, and an easing up of oil sanctions. The Editors, National Review, 13 Oct. 2023 In Washington, Biden’s Republican opponents are seeking to blame his recent dealings with Iran, which secured the release of five U.S. citizens from Iranian jails while unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian oil revenues, for emboldening the Islamic Republic and leading to the attack on Israel. Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unfreeze.' 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

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfreeze was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near unfreeze

Cite this Entry

“Unfreeze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfreeze. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!