as in unlatched
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in unleashed
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
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 unlocked
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
Dan Costume, a 34-year-old released from prison in 2024, had apparently taken advantage of an unlocked door to break into a stranger’s Flatbush apartment late Friday night, according to law enforcement sources and the tenant who killed him.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 1 June 2026
His body was found inside the unlocked SUV three days later when Wenrick told the fleet maintenance crew to take the patrol cars to be washed.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
But at the moment, a thief who acts quickly while your iPhone is still unlocked can still be successful.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
What unlocked Moss — depicted for the first time onscreen by the rising star in Moss & Freud — was mastering her laugh.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026
Amid years of Congress trying and failing to act after the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling that unlocked name, image, and likeness compensation for collegiate athletes, Cruz and Cantwell’s bill stands out with its bipartisan support, backing from the White House, and support from the NCAA.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026
Officers said this was later confirmed, learning the suspects entered the unlocked car as the residents slept inside the home.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 24 May 2026
The unlawful taking of articles from a motor vehicle, locked or unlocked.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2026
Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
For College Football 27, MVP+ bundles seven-day early access on July 2, a monthly Ultimate Team pack for a year, every mascot unlocked, 150 Dynasty Coach Points, an exclusive Dynasty Skill Tree and 500 Road to Glory Skill Points.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026
Discovering a New Version of Herself One of the biggest surprises for Hewitt has been the sheer endurance motherhood has unlocked within her.
—Sugey Palomares, Parents, 1 June 2026
Law enforcement vehicles typically cannot be unlocked from the back seats.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Vegas, on the other hand, has unlocked a whole new side of Marner, who was never known as a playoff performer, either.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 31 May 2026
In other cases, a homeowner won’t be able to even scrape together a down payment on a new property until equity is unlocked from the existing one.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Minderman confirmed that finding the correct grip on his change-up, which has a lot of movement, unlocked even more of his potential.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Ashley Padilla has unlocked the key to getting a fart sketch past noted fart-sketch-hater Lorne Michaels.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
Adjective
Google Unlocked Smartphone Deal The unlocked Google Pixel 10 Pro XL pairs a rugged aluminum body with shatter-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an IP68 rating.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
Dan Costume, a 34-year-old released from prison in 2024, had apparently taken advantage of an unlocked door to break into a stranger’s Flatbush apartment late Friday night, according to law enforcement sources and the tenant who killed him.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 1 June 2026
His body was found inside the unlocked SUV three days later when Wenrick told the fleet maintenance crew to take the patrol cars to be washed.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
But at the moment, a thief who acts quickly while your iPhone is still unlocked can still be successful.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
What unlocked Moss — depicted for the first time onscreen by the rising star in Moss & Freud — was mastering her laugh.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026
Amid years of Congress trying and failing to act after the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling that unlocked name, image, and likeness compensation for collegiate athletes, Cruz and Cantwell’s bill stands out with its bipartisan support, backing from the White House, and support from the NCAA.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026
Officers said this was later confirmed, learning the suspects entered the unlocked car as the residents slept inside the home.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 24 May 2026
The unlawful taking of articles from a motor vehicle, locked or unlocked.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2026
Verb
As daylight fades, the true magic of a pristine entryway is unlocked through professional architectural lighting.
—Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
For College Football 27, MVP+ bundles seven-day early access on July 2, a monthly Ultimate Team pack for a year, every mascot unlocked, 150 Dynasty Coach Points, an exclusive Dynasty Skill Tree and 500 Road to Glory Skill Points.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026
Discovering a New Version of Herself One of the biggest surprises for Hewitt has been the sheer endurance motherhood has unlocked within her.
—Sugey Palomares, Parents, 1 June 2026
Law enforcement vehicles typically cannot be unlocked from the back seats.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Vegas, on the other hand, has unlocked a whole new side of Marner, who was never known as a playoff performer, either.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 31 May 2026
In other cases, a homeowner won’t be able to even scrape together a down payment on a new property until equity is unlocked from the existing one.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Minderman confirmed that finding the correct grip on his change-up, which has a lot of movement, unlocked even more of his potential.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Ashley Padilla has unlocked the key to getting a fart sketch past noted fart-sketch-hater Lorne Michaels.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 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
-
Fans carried brooms through Manhattan streets in anticipation of a Cavaliers sweep, climbed atop traffic lights while NYPD officers ordered them down and unleashed the kind of basketball pandemonium New York has waited decades to experience again.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
Our star just unleashed three powerful solar flares in less than 24 hours and potentially sending multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurtling toward Earth, raising the chances of northern lights displays this week.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Roberts' defense asserted in its May 22 sentencing brief, unsealed Wednesday, that probation rather than prison time would be appropriate.—
Kyle Werner,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
Tollinche has a prior unsealed arrest for allegedly raping a minor in 2025, according to records.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
In 1894, Will Purvis’ hanging also failed when the noose loosened.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
-
These cities loosened their zoning laws and other restrictions in recent years to build housing, helping bring down rents.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Pratt’s campaign team didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment after the latest vote tallies were released Sunday night.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Jurges gallantly refused to press charges, and Popovich was released from custody.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
The car's entire battery pack, which weighs about 1,100 pounds, or about as much as a grand piano, is unbolted and whisked away, underground.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
-
Fold one corner down to create a triangle (the rest of the towel should remain unfolded and look like a rectangle attached to the triangle).—
Lauren Wellbank,
Martha Stewart,
4 May 2026
-
The unfolded detail does not go unnoticed and is very much respected and appreciated.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlocked. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
