as in to unleash
to set free (from a state of being held in check)
that last insult unlocked her tongue, and she finally said what she really thought
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Recent Examples of unlock
One successful interaction can unlock multiple systems at once.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Fans can scan participating Coca-Cola products to unlock prizes and rewards, such as the chance to win a new Jeep and more.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
Even those were somewhat unlocked by Minnesota’s injuries; Johnson no longer had Edwards guarding him by Games 5 and 6, enabling Denver to attack a mismatch.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The federal program could cover public school students, unlocking a new way to fund these costs.
—Micky Horstman, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Fans can scan participating Coca-Cola products to unlock prizes and rewards, such as the chance to win a new Jeep and more.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
Even those were somewhat unlocked by Minnesota’s injuries; Johnson no longer had Edwards guarding him by Games 5 and 6, enabling Denver to attack a mismatch.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The federal program could cover public school students, unlocking a new way to fund these costs.
—Micky Horstman, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlock
Verb
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The departure of tenants unleashed a cascade of financial complications, court files show.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Reaction there to that major Supreme Court ruling this week that has unleashed a new round of mid-decade redistricting after the justices narrowed Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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But the federal action comes as teen vaping rates have dropped to a 10-year low and manufacturers have pushed the Republican administration to loosen restrictions on their products.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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Qureshi noted that stablecoins are loosening the iron grip that governments have long wielded over their populations’ money supply, Fortune reported.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Verb
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The city also hasn’t released a calculation of how many new units would be required if SB 79 ends up affecting 52 bus stops instead of four.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
No motive has been released, as of Friday afternoon.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlock. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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