as in unleashing
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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Recent Examples of unlocking
The commission also emphasized that Verizon’s stricter unlocking obligations never applied industry-wide.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
Qureshi was tracked down through surveillance camera footage which allegedly showed a hooded figure unlocking the front door and entering the residence.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Exceptional leaders confront these barriers head-on, unlocking greater self-awareness that fosters innovation in business and deeper connections in their personal life.
—Karen Hinds, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
More broadly, major AI companies are increasingly embedding e-commerce capabilities into their chatbots in hopes of unlocking new revenue streams.
—CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
What was the key to unlocking Mansu as a character?
—Carole Horst, Variety, 10 Jan. 2026
Lower interest rates can reduce businesses’ borrowing costs, unlocking capital for hiring and other expenses.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
So maybe a quick trip to Victoria's Secret or Target might be the key to unlocking your New Year's Resolutions.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Zohran Mamdani, 34, will be the city’s youngest mayor in over a century, unlocking a new era of leadership that’s likely to look very different from his boomer predecessors.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
Qureshi was tracked down through surveillance camera footage which allegedly showed a hooded figure unlocking the front door and entering the residence.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Exceptional leaders confront these barriers head-on, unlocking greater self-awareness that fosters innovation in business and deeper connections in their personal life.
—Karen Hinds, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
More broadly, major AI companies are increasingly embedding e-commerce capabilities into their chatbots in hopes of unlocking new revenue streams.
—CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
What was the key to unlocking Mansu as a character?
—Carole Horst, Variety, 10 Jan. 2026
Lower interest rates can reduce businesses’ borrowing costs, unlocking capital for hiring and other expenses.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
So maybe a quick trip to Victoria's Secret or Target might be the key to unlocking your New Year's Resolutions.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Zohran Mamdani, 34, will be the city’s youngest mayor in over a century, unlocking a new era of leadership that’s likely to look very different from his boomer predecessors.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlocking
Verb
-
First, that unleashing Venezuelan oil would yield lower energy prices for American consumers and giant profits for American companies.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
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The predictions were that unleashing AI to the world at large would lead to an exponential rise in cheating at school and that student essays would cease to be original.—
Degen Pener,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The administration is loosening already lax oversight.—
Mark Olalde,
ProPublica,
12 Jan. 2026
-
They’re made from Lee’s stretchy denim blend that’s designed to move with you without loosening throughout the day.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Early evidence suggests these cells may go off course, making fat instead of bone and releasing chemical signals that interfere with the regrowth of blood vessels, which are essential for healing.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Mobilizing stored iron by releasing it from the liver and spleen into the bloodstream and bone marrow.—
Ayesha Gulzar,
Verywell Health,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlocking. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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