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to unleash

to unleash

201 4.3
To suddenly let a strong feeling, power, or animal go free
  • verb
  • /ʌnˈliːʃ/
translation icon : desencadenar
  • I began to appreciate the power, the magnitude, the sheer force that had been unleashed by my little story.
  • unleash human potential
  • unleash power
  • unleash a wave

And then the Weaver, the Carver and Briaxis unleashed themselves upon Highburn.

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Examples

  • The movie's ending was so emotional that it unleashed a wave of tears from the audience.

  • The tax can set a bad precedent that will unleash a world trade war.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Now all that remains is to unleash them on the world.

  • At my signal, unleash hell.

  • The third challenge is to unleash a clean energy revolution.

  • Yet the generals may find that democracy, once unleashed, is difficult to control.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Murad spots his chance and unleashes his cavalry.

  • With each day, the time bomb ticked louder, threatening to unleash the ghosts of 1956.

    Academic text (1991)
  • In all directions, it unleashes the Emperor's wrath.

  • After years of training, the dog was finally ready to unleash its energy during the race.

Synonyms

to let go
vsto unleash
1.4

To stop holding something or someone so they are free

is a sudden powerful release rather than a simple gentle release
to let out
vsto unleash
344 1.1

Allow someone or something to leave a place

is a sudden powerful release rather than a planned ordinary freeing
to free
vsto unleash
337 1.0

To release someone or something that is held

is a sudden powerful release rather than a broad general freeing
to set free
vsto unleash
218 2.7

To let a person or animal go after keeping them in a place where they could not leave

is a sudden powerful release rather than a formal granted freedom
to unlock
vsto unleash
84 1.3

Make a skill, chance, or secret become available

is a sudden powerful release rather than a controlled opening or access
to loose
vsto unleash
30 3.0

To let something go free or make it less tight

is a sudden powerful release rather than gradual loosening
to let loose
vsto unleash
13 3.8

Set something free from being held or controlled

is a sudden powerful release rather than a simple freeing
to liberate
vsto unleash
  • Specialized
8 5.8

Release a gas or energy during a chemical reaction

is about suddenly freeing powerful forces not just chemical release
to unchain
vsto unleash
6 4.1

Remove chains and other things that hold someone so they are free

is a sudden powerful release rather than just removing physical bindings
to unshackle
vsto unleash
5 6.5

Free someone or something from limits and control

is a sudden powerful release rather than a general removal of limits
to unbind
vsto unleash
3 6.4

To free something by untying ropes or cords

is a sudden powerful release rather than a simple untying action
to uncork
vsto unleash
3 5.5

To let strong feelings come out after holding them in

is a sudden powerful release applying to many forces not only feelings
to untether
vsto unleash
1 6.2

To free someone or something from limits so they can act more freely

is a sudden powerful release rather than gradual removal of attachments
to unloose
vsto unleash
  • Archaic
1 7.0

To make something less tight or set something free

is a sudden powerful release rather than a loosening action
to release the kraken
vsto unleash
  • Slang
1 9.9

To let loose something powerful and hard to control

describes a sudden powerful release without idiomatic exaggeration
to cast loose
vsto unleash
1 6.7

To free something by letting go of ties or limits

is a sudden powerful release rather than a standard detaching act
to unbottle
vsto unleash
8.1

To express feelings or thoughts you have kept inside

is a sudden powerful release applying to many forces not only feelings

Antonyms

86 4.6

Hold a person or thing so it cannot move freely

Phrasal Verbs

To help someone use their skills fully

How Forceful

to unleash
201 4.3
to unchain
6 4.1
to release
1.8
to let loose
  • Informal
12 3.9

Surface Forms

unleash infinitive
unleashed past
unleashed past participle
unleashing present participle
unleashes third person singular

Morphology

unleash = leash (semi-transparent) = un + leash

While the prefix 'un-' suggests a reversal or removal, the metaphorical sense of releasing emotions or forces is not immediately obvious.

Etymology

The word unleash comes from the prefix un- meaning 'remove' and leash, the rope used on a dog. So to unleash something is to take the leash off and let a strong force, feeling, or animal run free.