unleash

verb

un·​leash ˌən-ˈlēsh 

unleashed; unleashing; unleashes

transitive verb

1

: to free from or as if from a leash : let loose

unleash the dogs

unleashing his anger

2

: to throw, shoot, or set in motion forcefully

… unleashed a superb shot … to earn his side a point.

—The New York Times

3

: to allow or cause (something powerful) to happen suddenly

The storm unleashed its fury.

The editorial unleashed a flood/torrent of angry responses.

Synonyms of unleash

• loosen
• release
• unlock

Examples of unleash in a Sentence

The storm unleashed its fury.

The editorial unleashed a torrent of angry responses.

Recent Examples on the Web

With the franchise’s trademark blend of extreme gore and dark humor, the Evil Dead backstory centers on the ancient Book of the Dead that unleashes supernatural evil forces and twists victims into sadistic, shape-shifting, near-invincible monsters. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 21 July 2026

Voters wanted candidates who spoke boldly against the horrors that Israel has unleashed on the Palestinian people, and rewarded those candidates with decisive wins in race after race. — Danny Kaplowitz, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026

Epstein’s instincts and gravitas helped unleash the Cubs as a multibillion-dollar franchise at a time when the Ricketts family ownership group was preserving and modernizing the Friendly Confines. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Fraxiom The match started at a War Raiders pace before Axiom was unleashed and landed a picture-perfect moonsault onto the War Raiders. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unleash

• pastiche
• leash
• quiche

Kids Definition

unleash

verb

un·​leash ˌən-ˈlēsh 

: to free from or as if from a leash

unleash a dog

the storm unleashed its fury