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

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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

Prosecutors said Asora shot MacNeil after MacNeil freed himself.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
And studies do suggest AI tools that make workers more efficient are freeing up time.

— Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of free

Verb

In 2020, DirecTV and AT&T struck a deal with Charter, not so much to liberate Dodgers fans as to help the parties maintain a shrinking base of subscribers amid a proliferation of video options.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
No need to spiral; the clarity can ultimately liberate you from these unnecessary financial burdens.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of liberate

Verb

In December 2023, Mestiza released the debut album Quëreles via their independent label Sacro Music, which also reimagined flamenco traditions through a club lens.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Beresford draws a parallel to audience reactions when the film was first released.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of release

Verb

Some of those rescued are covered in mud and appear injured after being battered by the flood, one video shows.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
There were at least 15 newborns in the nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad when the fire broke out, hospital officials said, but one baby was rescued, officials with the hospital said.

— CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of rescue

Verb

New chairman Kevin Warsh has suggested tightening at the long end of the yield curve—the very thing Bessent is now trying to loosen—helps the Fed read market signals.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
So will a flood of 401(k) money, thanks to loosening rules about what investments belong in Americans’ retirement accounts.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 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 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unchain

verb

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