unleash

verb

un·​leash ˌən-ˈlēsh How to pronounce unleash (audio)
unleashed; unleashing; unleashes
Synonyms of unleashnext

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.

Examples of unleash in a Sentence

The storm unleashed its fury. The editorial unleashed a torrent of angry responses.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
As the verdict was announced, his followers unleashed a wave of fury across Punjab and Haryana. Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026 Hotel construction has plunged, a nosedive that was unleashed by stubborn problems for hotel financing and elevated construction costs, Atlas Hospitality Group reported recently. George Avalos, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026 This year's relentless winter in the East is about to unleash its most savage cold outbreak yet. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026 The solar flares also can unleash multiple coronal mass ejections, which often are observed as geomagnetic activity that can trigger a beautiful display of auroras. Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unleash

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unleash was circa 1671

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Cite this Entry

“Unleash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unleash. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

unleash

verb
un·​leash ˌən-ˈlēsh How to pronounce unleash (audio)
: to free from or as if from a leash
unleash a dog
the storm unleashed its fury

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