unleashed; unleashing; unleashes
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
The New York Times3
: 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
Critics say some council members are trying to stay in power longer, and many fear the move could unleash a fresh round of violent protests.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
Witnesses, human rights activists and medical professionals told CNN that security forces unleashed widespread violence over the Iranian weekend of January 8 and 9, turning streets across Iran into what resembled a warzone and pointing to a coordinated armed assault.
—Sarah Dean, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
That will give the people over in the administration the green light to unleash more hell upon our state.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Agents made several arrests in supermarket parking lots and at tamale stands while goading angry residents who confronted them and threatening to unleash tear gas.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unleash
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Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
Witnesses, human rights activists and medical professionals told CNN that security forces unleashed widespread violence over the Iranian weekend of January 8 and 9, turning streets across Iran into what resembled a warzone and pointing to a coordinated armed assault.
—Sarah Dean, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
That will give the people over in the administration the green light to unleash more hell upon our state.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Agents made several arrests in supermarket parking lots and at tamale stands while goading angry residents who confronted them and threatening to unleash tear gas.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unleash
Cite this Entry
“Unleash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unleash. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unleash
verb
un·leash
ˌən-ˈlēsh 
: to free from or as if from a leash
unleash a dog
the storm unleashed its fury
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