as in to free
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
authorities eventually unfettered the menagerie of wild animals that had been kept illegally as pets
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Recent Examples of unfetter
His long run in office, however, delivered only partial victories on his two primary ambitions: to unfetter Japan’s military after decades of postwar pacifism and to jump-start and overhaul its economy through a program known as Abenomics.
—
New York Times, 8 July 2022
As spring ends, maple trees begin to unfetter winged seeds that flutter and swirl from branches to land gently on the ground.
—Nikk Ogasa, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2021
By manufacturing satellite components in space, Made In Space hopes to unfetter some of those launch constraints.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 2 Aug. 2019
Unfettered by worries about his relationship, Caldwell thrived.
—Jason Blevins, The Denver Post, 18 May 2017
New York Times, 8 July 2022
As spring ends, maple trees begin to unfetter winged seeds that flutter and swirl from branches to land gently on the ground.
—Nikk Ogasa, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2021
By manufacturing satellite components in space, Made In Space hopes to unfetter some of those launch constraints.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 2 Aug. 2019
Unfettered by worries about his relationship, Caldwell thrived.
—Jason Blevins, The Denver Post, 18 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfetter
Verb
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Taken together, the two programs free older workers for the flexible opportunities often available with smaller companies or nonprofits with traditionally lower pay.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This helped free Nacua up for a 24-yard gain into the red zone.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Prize is technically a financial award, not a grant, which liberates recipients to dream, pause, pivot, or scale on their own terms.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Still, not every architect involved has found the project’s carte blanche approach liberating.—
Siobhan Reid,
Robb Report,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This year’s results covering 2023 and 2024, which were shared exclusively with Forbes, will be released tomorrow.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Agents detained two suspects – including one at the scene of the crime – but later released them and cleared them of any involvement.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Juventus managed to come from behind to rescue a 4-4 draw against visiting Borussia Dortmund thanks to a late equalizer by Lloyd Kelly (90+6’).—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Lions Tigers & Bears’ mission is to rescue and care for big cats and exotic animals, with a team of veterinarians, groundskeepers, administrative staff and approximately 300 volunteers.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Drop the filters into the soapy water and soak them for 15-30 minutes to easily lift and loosen grease and gunk.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
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Simply add a little broth to loosen the pasta before reheating or serving.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some of the cattle roaming the marsh are rumored to be the feral descendants of herds emancipated two decades ago by Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall about five miles upriver.—
Nathaniel Rich,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
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The federal government's few attempts to transition the recently emancipated into the postwar economy were inadequate, historians believe.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfetter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfetter. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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