as in to unleash
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 unlock
Stores increasingly use it to track customers suspected of shoplifting, entertainment venues deploy it during big events, and many cellphones give users the option to unlock their devices with an instantaneous face scan.
—
Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
All pieces come with a QR code unlocking traceability and recycling information.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
For the first time, Wrangler is unlocking its vault to bring together some of the rarest pieces of its history under one roof for a limited time.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
In this cozy historical fiction tale, the old days unlock untold truths for Ninny and Evelyn—about their own lives and the history of their quaint Southern town.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
All pieces come with a QR code unlocking traceability and recycling information.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
For the first time, Wrangler is unlocking its vault to bring together some of the rarest pieces of its history under one roof for a limited time.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
In this cozy historical fiction tale, the old days unlock untold truths for Ninny and Evelyn—about their own lives and the history of their quaint Southern town.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlock
Verb
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In response, her government unleashed a brutal and bloody crackdown that only galvanized the movement and brought more people onto the streets.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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The Seattle Seahawks delivered an all-time performance in their 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, unleashing a ferocious pass rush to torment quarterback Drake Maye all night.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash or two of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce as needed.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
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Los Angeles loosened conversion rules, allowing commercial buildings just 15 years old to become housing with streamlined city approvals instead of lengthy reviews.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But its last shutdown plan, released in late September, indicates that 91% of its employees would continue to work without pay.—
Riley Beggin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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On day four of the search, the Guthrie siblings released a video on social media.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlock. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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