Synonyms of unlocking

unlocking

verb

present participle of unlock

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unleashing
• loosening
• releasing
• expressing
• letting go
• loosing
• uncorking
• unloosing
• freeing
• liberating
• unloosening
• emancipating
• enfranchising
• springing
• airing
• unshackling
• unchaining
• discharging
• unfettering
• unbinding
• manumitting
• unmooring
• uncaging
• venting
• taking out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• controlling
• holding
• containing
• checking
• inhibiting
• regulating
• governing
• restraining
• curbing
• constraining
• taming
• smothering
• reining (in)
• handcuffing
• confining
• binding
• bridling
• shackling
• hampering
• manacling
• trammeling
• fettering
• enchaining
• haltering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unlocking

His teammates - more akin to bodyguards this summer - do the dirty work, which leaves Messi to focus solely on unlocking the opposition’s defense with his unrivaled quality. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026

The focus here is on unlocking the hips, which Redden says is something all footballers could benefit from. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Every day, our researchers, physicians, students and innovators push the boundaries of what is possible — from advancing artificial intelligence and engineering to unlocking new treatments that improve and save lives. — Pradeep Khosla, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026

Mastering rocket reuse will allow Chinese companies to ramp up their launch cadence, unlocking new capacity for deploying mega-constellations. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026

Experts have warned that this period of gradually unlocking stocks could be considerably volatile— which isn’t exactly reassuring, given the company’s recent performance. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 16 July 2026

Compared to skunks and coyotes, raccoons were the quickest to discover that tapping the left button would release food, with most of the eight raccoon subjects unlocking the puzzle within one or two attempts. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026

According to celebrity astrologer Ally Lewber, your zodiac sign is the key to unlocking a fragrance that speaks to you. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 July 2026

The federal government will help Boise address a missing piece of its transit map — and develop a key link toward unlocking open land on the city’s southern flank. — Mark Dee july 10, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026