unlocked 1 of 2

Definition of unlockednext

unlocked

2 of 2

verb

past tense of unlock

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 unlocked
Adjective
Was the door locked or unlocked? Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 7 Mar. 2026 That was beyond frustrating, but keeping our focus on the soon-to-be-unlocked value trapped in the conglomerate kept us in the name. Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026 One of the suspects dropped an unlocked cellphone inside the store, which investigators were able to use as evidence. Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026 Deputies say Hernandez and Pickens were casing the apartment complex’s parking lot trying to get into unlocked cars before the shooting. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026 The black door to unit 106 was closed but unlocked. Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2026 Mary Gingles opened a neighbor’s unlocked door; the resident, Andrew Ferrin, was asleep in his bed. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026 The man told officers two males entered his unlocked apartment and sprayed him with a fire extinguisher, according to police. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026 Thank goodness — sometimes — for unlocked doors. Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Verb
That realization unlocked something. Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 10 Mar. 2026 Two weeks passed before a guard finally unlocked Mitchell’s cell for a nurse. USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026 The Gophers’ 2-3 zone defense was a key piece in winning three of the previous four games, but the Hoosiers unlocked it. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026 Many still leave their cars and homes unlocked. Dana Khraiche, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026 When paramedics arrived, Mia put her German Shepherd in its cage, unlocked the door to let them in, and cared for her dad. Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026 New coaches Mike Ekeler and Skyler Jones bring veteran leadership, confident the linebacker room has NFL-caliber talent ready to be unlocked this spring. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026 Familiarity unlocked the title pursuit for Enos, who wrestled against Valentine for a third straight week. Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026 In the piggybank, Jules found a Honeywell key that unlocked a safe, and there lied the bulk of the information that Owen had been hiding. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlocked
Adjective
  • Rex, a 3-year-old wallaby, wandered away from the Lots of Love Farm in Williamstown after a gate was allegedly left unlatched overnight.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
  • Advertisement Stafford depressurized the cockpit, matching the vacuum inside to the vacuum outside so that the hatch would not blow open and fly free from interior air pressure when it was unlatched.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Reporting from Tel Aviv Tehran unleashed a heavy barrage of missile and drone attacks directed at oil facilities across the region, in what Arab officials tell NBC News is a strategy to drive up oil prices to create pressure for a ceasefire.
    Yarden Segev, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
  • America’s strategic petroleum reserves, or SPR, is a prodigious repository of crude oil meant to offset global supply crises like the one unleashed by the Iran conflict.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Keep them in an unsealed plastic bag or a mesh bag to prevent moisture buildup.
    Hannah Harper, Health, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The commissioner said Fulton County would review the unsealed warrant and continue to pursue the return of the election materials to Georgia.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In the past, Iranian leaders have loosened certain social restrictions after major crises to ease domestic pressure.
    Imtiaz Tyab, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
  • However, if Mars has its own defenses, then things might be a little less worrisome from a planetary protection perspective, and constraints on future missions could be loosened.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Jalloh was later released from that other facility.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Luria added that sentiment might improve for Big Tech if a new AI model is released that particularly impresses people, reigniting faith in the potential for strong returns.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In May, a fisherman fell into the water and drowned after the seat on his bass boat became unbolted.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024
  • In a press event Thursday evening, Tesla's somewhat oddly attired Elon Musk showed how the the company's Tesla S luxury sedan could be recharged in just 90 seconds, hovering over a robotic setup in which the battery would be automatically located, unbolted, removed, and replaced.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • The decidedly cognizant, braggadocious front half gives way to unbarred perspective into a darker moment during Miller’s journey with drug abuse.
    Billboard Staff, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2019
  • With unbarred views of the sea, the infinity pool also clocks in at 5 feet deep, shallow enough to stand and perfect for those not wanting to get their hair wet.
    Melanie Reffes, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2018
Adjective
  • Flexible layouts adapt apps to the unfolded screen, making multitasking feel more natural.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The retelling of how that night and the chaotic days that followed unfolded is based on a historical review of unclassified government documents, archived news articles, books, interviews with researchers, and more.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unlocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlocked. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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