unleash

verb

un·​leash ˌən-ˈlēsh 

unleashed; unleashing; unleashes

transitive verb

1

: to free from or as if from a leash : let loose

unleash the dogs

unleashing his anger

2

: to throw, shoot, or set in motion forcefully

… unleashed a superb shot … to earn his side a point.

—The New York Times

3

: to allow or cause (something powerful) to happen suddenly

The storm unleashed its fury.

The editorial unleashed a flood/torrent of angry responses.

Synonyms of unleash

• loosen
• release
• unlock

Examples of unleash in a Sentence

The storm unleashed its fury.

The editorial unleashed a torrent of angry responses.

Recent Examples on the Web

Investigators recovered 114 spent shell casings along the K Street Mall after the shooting, according to court records, evidence of the sheer volume of gunfire unleashed within seconds. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

White unleashed one of the most blistering postgame attacks on WNBA officiating of the Clark era. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

The damage that nefarious non-state and state actors, or even rogue AI agents themselves, could unleash could do irreversible damage to nearly any part of our economy and society. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

One of them, journalist Tomas, goes public with the information, unleashing powerful enemies. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unleash

• pastiche
• leash
• quiche

Kids Definition

unleash

verb

un·​leash ˌən-ˈlēsh 

: to free from or as if from a leash

unleash a dog

the storm unleashed its fury