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
Still, Magyar would face a stiff challenge to meet the EU’s demands and unlock some funding before an August 31 deadline.
—
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Advances in women’s health, from at-home diagnostics to midlife care solutions, will help close the gender research gap and unlock a massive economic opportunity.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 10 Apr. 2026
But some of it has to be unlocked.
—Clay Chandler, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
One partnership can unlock hundreds and thousands of classrooms.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Advances in women’s health, from at-home diagnostics to midlife care solutions, will help close the gender research gap and unlock a massive economic opportunity.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 10 Apr. 2026
But some of it has to be unlocked.
—Clay Chandler, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
One partnership can unlock hundreds and thousands of classrooms.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlock
Verb
-
Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Olympian Quincy Wilson from Bullis High in Maryland is ready to unleash his speed in two relay races and the 400 at Saturday’s Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His hands of steel loosened my back with oils, and various stones like hot and salt.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
-
If necessary, use an offset spatula or butter knife to loosen the edges and then, using the overhang, transfer the brownies to a cutting board.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If Bluey uses a wand of asparagus to transform her father into a walrus, her father will behave exactly like a walrus until released from the spell.—
Jean Garnett,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed just one of the deaths Friday evening, but did not release the identity.—
William Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlock. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
