untie

verb

un·​tie ˌən-ˈtī How to pronounce untie (audio)
untied; untying or untieing

transitive verb

1
: to free from something that ties, fastens, or restrains : unbind
untied our hands
2
a
: to disengage the knotted parts of
untie a shoe
b
: disentangle, resolve
untie a traffic jam

intransitive verb

: to become loosened or unbound

Examples of untie in a Sentence

He untied the package and opened it. She untied the horse from the post.
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.
Trump and others in his administration have tried slicing through these knots rather than putting in the legal work to untie them. The Editors, National Review, 19 May 2025 Vionic Kimmie Perf Slip-on Shoes Rather than bend down to untie your shoes, just slide your feet into these airport security-friendly slip-on sneakers. Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025 His bow tie wants to be untied, his vest buttons unfastened, his top hat removed. James Meyer, Artforum, 1 May 2025 The concept of Mary untying knots is derived from a work by St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Adversus Haereses (Against Heresies). Thomas Wenski, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for untie

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of untie was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Untie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untie. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

untie

verb
un·​tie ˌən-ˈtī How to pronounce untie (audio)
ˈən-
untied; untying or untieing
1
: to free from something that ties or fastens : unbind
untie a horse
2
a
: to undo the knotted parts of
untied her scarf
b
: to straighten out : resolve
untie a traffic jam
3
: to become loosened or unbound
the strings untied easily

More from Merriam-Webster on untie

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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