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
This iteration was notably surreal, what with the goopy-faced woman, cartoonish DIY bomb, and witchcraft unlocking true love’s kiss.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
For the first time, Forbes is heading to Phoenix, AZ from April 19–22 to unlock that southwest energy at the 2026 Forbes Under 30 Summit.
—Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Renteria unlocked the storm door, and the person on the other side — later identified as his roommate — pulled it open.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
Our expert take The Citi Strata Premier® Card has competitive rewards rates and unlocks access to all of the Citi ThankYou® transfer partners, which boosts the value of your points.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
For the first time, Forbes is heading to Phoenix, AZ from April 19–22 to unlock that southwest energy at the 2026 Forbes Under 30 Summit.
—Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Renteria unlocked the storm door, and the person on the other side — later identified as his roommate — pulled it open.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
Our expert take The Citi Strata Premier® Card has competitive rewards rates and unlocks access to all of the Citi ThankYou® transfer partners, which boosts the value of your points.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlock
Verb
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For example, the higher estimates for the infamous August 2013 East Ghoutta chemical weapons attack, which saw sarin nerve gas unleashed on an urban civilian area, are 1,500 dead.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The societies that can advance to the frontiers of the productive power that capitalism unleashes while maintaining their coherence and élan advance to the front of the race for international status and power.—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Fed loosened anyway — a rational response to the severe downturn — and inflation remained low for years to come.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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The Bucks won’t be, either, and that loosens trade restrictions on deals involving those two teams.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At least 302 people have been released as of Thursday, according to the organization Foro Penal, though its tally is far lower than the more than 800 reported by authorities.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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These early concepts were blown away in the next decade, when the original Elite was released in 1984.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlock. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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