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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 unlock
And reframing it may be the key to unlocking a more fulfilling life for women of all ages.
—
Brittany Luse, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
New customers have the option to unlock a $1,000 first-bet safety net instead.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
To unlock the full payout, however, the billionaire must meet ambitious targets, including scaling Tesla’s robotaxi business and taking the company’s market value to $8.5 trillion within a decade — nearly nine times its current worth.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The question for every executive is this: What capabilities in your team could AI help unlock?
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Brittany Luse, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
New customers have the option to unlock a $1,000 first-bet safety net instead.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
To unlock the full payout, however, the billionaire must meet ambitious targets, including scaling Tesla’s robotaxi business and taking the company’s market value to $8.5 trillion within a decade — nearly nine times its current worth.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The question for every executive is this: What capabilities in your team could AI help unlock?
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlock
Verb
-
This is especially true when facing the game's many bosses, who often only briefly telegraph their intentions before unleashing attacks that can fill a huge portion of the screen.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Flip that switch, and suddenly every market becomes accessible, and good ideas trapped behind a language wall get unleashed.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Simply add a little broth to loosen the pasta before reheating or serving.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Unlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlock. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share