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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unlocking
Director Lee Jang Hoon was recognized as a Visionary for unlocking the international appeal of the K-school action genre.
—
Partner Content, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Some business leaders have argued the prime downtown land could be freed for redevelopment, potentially reshaping the city’s core and unlocking private investment if City Hall relocates.
—Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
Stretch Denim Stretch denim revolutionized the industry, unlocking a world of new silhouettes and enabling denim to rival activewear in ways consumers had never experienced.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
Independent partners are critical to unlocking the prosperity AI adoption can deliver.
—Tanvi Ratna, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Now scientists in Australia are getting close to unlocking the first specific sepsis treatment.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 20 Feb. 2026
That brings a whole new dimension to unlocking the secret of gloves found 2 miles from Guthrie’s home, said by investigators to be similar to those worn by a suspect in a disturbing video caught on a camera at Guthrie’s front door.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
He is compared to early-career Christian Yelich, who hit the ball very hard but too often on the ground before later unlocking MVP-level power by elevating more.
—Derek Vanriper, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
But unlocking more short-term rentals in the region could help capture economic opportunities that might otherwise be lost, according to the report.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Partner Content, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Some business leaders have argued the prime downtown land could be freed for redevelopment, potentially reshaping the city’s core and unlocking private investment if City Hall relocates.
—Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
Stretch Denim Stretch denim revolutionized the industry, unlocking a world of new silhouettes and enabling denim to rival activewear in ways consumers had never experienced.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
Independent partners are critical to unlocking the prosperity AI adoption can deliver.
—Tanvi Ratna, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Now scientists in Australia are getting close to unlocking the first specific sepsis treatment.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 20 Feb. 2026
That brings a whole new dimension to unlocking the secret of gloves found 2 miles from Guthrie’s home, said by investigators to be similar to those worn by a suspect in a disturbing video caught on a camera at Guthrie’s front door.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
He is compared to early-career Christian Yelich, who hit the ball very hard but too often on the ground before later unlocking MVP-level power by elevating more.
—Derek Vanriper, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
But unlocking more short-term rentals in the region could help capture economic opportunities that might otherwise be lost, according to the report.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlocking
Verb
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Above all, unleashing America’s promise requires keeping our community safe.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Above all, unleashing America's promise requires keeping our communities safe.—
February 25,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Anthropic, a company founded by OpenAI exiles worried about the dangers of AI, is loosening its core safety principle in response to competition.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will terminate Anthropic's $200 million contract with the military by Friday unless the artificial intelligence lab agrees to loosening its safety standards.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Two and a half months ago, when Diggs faced strangulation and assault charges that seemed to threaten his immediate football future, the Patriots stood with their star receiver by releasing an atypically strong statement.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Buckley is the rare artist getting a shot at being elected on the basis of releasing only one album in his lifetime.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlocking. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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