UNLEASH Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

unleash

verb

ˌən-ˈlēsh

Definition of unleash

as in to loosen

to set free (from a state of being held in check) unleashed all of his unspoken love for her in a long letter that he hoped he would have the courage to mail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to release

to find emotional release for lifting weights is a way for me to unleash all the frustrations of the workday

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 unleash Yet after initially acknowledging the economic struggle, the government once again accused the protesters of being foreign agents before unleashing one of the worst crackdowns in the Islamic Republic’s history. — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford unleashed his own tirade. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 For North Carolina, Saturday will be about growth from last year and the Tar Heels will also be unleashing an offense led by new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 Membership is curated for genuine automotive passion, not just wealth, allowing members to truly unleash their high-performance vehicles and refine their skills without administrative hassle. — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unleash

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unleash

Verb

Stein attributed the drop to a lengthening backlog for accounts receivable as Nvidia has loosened payment terms for its many backstopping deals.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Vinegar and baking soda effectively loosen and remove stubborn grease.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of loosen

Verb

Police were not immediately releasing the victims’ names pending notification of their families.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
The trailer was released Monday before the Cubs showdown with the Brewers, which usually would’ve been the big story of the day if not for the fact that Milwaukee led the division by eight games with a month left.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of release

Verb

Restoring a sense of freedom to Marmoush’s game will be key to unlocking his confidence and his best form.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The Titans are banking on a new head coach to unlock second-year quarterback Cam Ward, as Robert Saleh is the new leader in Tennessee.

— NBC Sports, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of unlock

Verb

In the comments of an Instagram upload from Bustle, which also showed Stoermer’s Stories post, fans expressed their disappointment with Euphoria‘s conclusion in the comments.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
Mamdani opened the news conference by expressing his condolences to the victims and their families and thanking the officers who responded.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of express

Browse Nearby Words

unlearns

unleash

unleashed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unleash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unleash. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unleash

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes