UNCHAIN Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

unchain

verb

ˌən-ˈchān

Definition of unchain

as in to free

to set free (as from slavery or confinement) activists for animal rights who would like to unchain zoo animals and return them to the wild

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of unchain The nationwide standalone 5G that the carrier announced Wednesday essentially unchains that service from 4G LTE, allowing devices to connect to the network without first requiring a setup via AT&T’s older and slower network. — PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025 When Henson refused to unchain herself from the fence, California Highway Patrol arrested her. — Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2024 Max eventually unchains himself and helps Furiosa in her quest to free the cult leader's wives, gaining mutual respect along the way. — Ew Staff, EW.com, 3 July 2024 Van Gogh had unchained it from its age-old funereal associations and reinvented it as a tour de force of emotional connection and nurturance. — Deborah Solomon, New York Times, 11 May 2023 On Wednesday, the rescuers carefully lifted the shed enough to reach Bubbles and unchain the dog. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 3 Sep. 2021 The feds give an official exemption to Nuro, a company working on small self-driving cars—a sign that regulators are willing to unchain autonomous vehicles from the old rules. — Aarian Marshall, Wired, 9 Feb. 2020 Police say the three protesters had the ability to unchain themselves from the equipment but refused. — USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unchain

Verb

The ruling released Thursday also frees up federal funding that already had been approved but not distributed to homeless service organizations in Los Angeles.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Blavin initiated a rescue deal that freed all 2,100 beagles from Ridglan Farms, according to the release.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of free

Verb

We were taught by a gruff cockney called Fred Waring, who had participated in the D-Day landings in a regiment that had fought its way across Europe towards Berlin and liberated the concentration camp at Belsen.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026
And by engaging with these powerful militaries, the group reinforced its self-image as a major regional player that was uniquely capable of liberating the Muslim world from corrupting American and Israeli influence.

— April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of liberate

Verb

Suicide remains the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and CDC data released this year show firearm suicides actually climbed to their highest level on record in 2025, topping 28,000.

— Courtney Marx, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Editions in French, German and nine other languages are being released this month.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of release

Verb

Her first stop was the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, a non-profit wildlife hospital and sanctuary dedicated to rescuing Florida’s native species, from bald eagles to bobcats.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Reading the book is like watching one of those mothers who lift up a car to rescue their child from underneath.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of rescue

Verb

Retiree Walter Rasor is always looking for a way to save, and a property-tax cut on his condo sounds appealing at first glance.

— Steve Maugeri, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
But when Emma never shows up to their meeting, Pao and Dante will have to go on an epic quest— filled with awkward moments, sarcasm, and somewhat reluctant friendships—to save their best friend.

— Kavya Dhillon, Parents, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of save

Verb

Warsaw now wants the European Union to allow similar suspensions during migration emergencies, as the bloc considers a framework that could loosen standard asylum procedures.

— Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Once a month, remove the filter and soak it in hot, soapy water to loosen and dissolve greasy buildup.

— Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of loosen

Verb

Drew was legally emancipated from her mother at 14 and began living independently.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
In 1775, his first enslaver sold him to the commander of Framingham's Minute Men, who emancipated him, and Salem went on to fight at Lexington and Concord.

— Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 4 July 2026

Definition of emancipate

Browse Nearby Words

uncertainty

unchain

unchained

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“Unchain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unchain. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unchain

verb

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