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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unlocking Science meets humanity in this pursuit of unlocking a new era of space exploration. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 The outcome has been the complete lifting of all US sanctions on Syria, the key to unlocking foreign investment. — Tala Alrajjal, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026 For producers in western Bahia, the link promises faster, cheaper transit for vital agricultural goods, unlocking a new economic artery for northeastern Brazil. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026 Related The circular batteries are easy to use, unlocking and locking in place in the mouse and base station. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 29 Sep. 2026 That the stakes are high only augments the thrill of unlocking their working equation. — Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026 Zipline will cover its infrastructure costs in Côte d’Ivoire by unlocking money from a $150 million grant that the US government approved for the company last year. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026 All five models come with fingerprint scanners for unlocking. — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026 Having trouble unlocking the front door, he was let back into the house by Sullivan. — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlocking
  1. unleashing
  2. loosening
  3. releasing
Verb
  • One of them, journalist Tomas, goes public with the information, unleashing powerful enemies.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In these moments, the actor bursts through his roles as the Spider does through Reilly, unleashing the Grand Guignol excess that is Nicolas Cage.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of unleashing
Verb
  • This beautiful retrospective volume shows a poet developing steadily, from the graceful descriptions and encoded trauma of the poems from the 1990s through the loosening music and political engagement of the books of the last ten years.
    — Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The pullout, however, leaves a new Iraqi government with the daunting task of loosening Iran’s grip on its neighbor, which has long been trapped in a cycle of sectarianism, foreign meddling and civil conflict.
    — Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of loosening
Verb
  • Engineers can use the aircraft as a reusable first stage, carrying Talon-A to altitude before releasing it for a hypersonic flight.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
  • From 1994 onwards, Superchunk’s albums were issued on Merge, and as the band built its reputation on constant touring, the label grew bigger as well, releasing indie classics by Neutral Milk Hotel, Magnetic Fields, and Arcade Fire.
    — Charles Moss, SPIN, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of releasing

Browse Nearby Words

unlocked
unlocking
unlocks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unlocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlocking. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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