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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unlock
In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.
—
Melina Khan, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
The robber lifted the phone to Zeek’s face to unlock it, and, when the digital wallet failed to open, shoved the barrel of the gun against Zeek’s chest.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
This step unlocks the spice’s fat-soluble compounds, unleashing its brawny, savory-sweet flavors.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Melina Khan, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
The robber lifted the phone to Zeek’s face to unlock it, and, when the digital wallet failed to open, shoved the barrel of the gun against Zeek’s chest.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
This step unlocks the spice’s fat-soluble compounds, unleashing its brawny, savory-sweet flavors.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlock
Verb
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Slow-moving thunderstorms frequently unleash catastrophic downpours over the South Fork burn scar, a region still reeling from two fires that scorched over 15,000 acres and destroyed 1,400 structures.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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McCasland will also unleash Anderson as his primary guard.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The commonwealth has been without an operational freestanding birthing center since the 1980s, said Mary Kathryn DeLodder, director of the Kentucky Birth Coalition — a grassroots organization that led the charge in advocating for legislation loosening regulations for the facilities.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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That's because the city has a history of shifting on this issue, from when pursuits were restricted following bystander deaths, and then loosened in response to carjackings and reckless driving in the city.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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According to figures from a housing assessment released this April, the median house value in Fayetteville has grown 275% in the last two decades, and the median gross rent has increased 78%.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
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In the lead-up to the tournament, Argentina had played a series of friendlies without him, since Valencia refused to release him.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlock. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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