🪠 To clear a pipe 💬 To release emotions

to unstop

6.0

To remove a block that stops ideas or feelings from coming out

verb
/ʌnˈstɑp/

: desbloquear

She cried during the session, hoping to unstop the feelings she had been holding back.

Examples

He tried to unstop his thoughts by discussing them with a friend.
Hawkeye (to Sachem): I come to you unarmed and in peace to unstop your ears, wise one.

Fiction book (1992)
"Unstop the bottle," Azzie said.

Fiction book (1991)
The group gathered to unstop their creative ideas and collaborate on the project.

Synonyms

to untangle

vsto unstop

12 4.9

To free someone from a difficult or confusing situation

is broader, applying to general freeing of expression or progress

to unclog

vsto unstop

7 3.2

To remove something blocking a pipe or drain so water can flow

is used more for removing nonphysical barriers like thoughts or feelings

to unblock

vsto unstop

3 3.1

Remove something that stops a pipe, machine, or blood vessel from working

focuses more on freeing ideas or feelings rather than physical flow

to unclamp

vsto unstop

1 5.3

To remove a rule or limit so something has more freedom

is used more for removing abstract barriers to ideas or emotions

to untether

vsto unstop

1 6.2

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

is used more for releasing inner blocks like thoughts or feelings

to unstuff

vsto unstop

1 7.4

To clear a blocked nose or ear so air can move

applies more to releasing emotional or mental blockage than physical items

to unconstrain

vsto unstop

1 7.4

To take away rules or limits so it can work more freely

is similar but points specifically to easing expressive or emotional barriers

to unloose

vsto unstop

Archaic

1 7.0

To make something less tight or set something free

is used more for allowing free expression or progress than physical loosening

to unjam

vsto unstop

1 4.2

To free something that is stuck so it can move or work again

stresses clearing barriers to progress or expression rather than mechanical jams

to unwedge

vsto unstop

1 7.4

To free something that is stuck by removing what blocks it so it can move again

focuses instead on removing obstacles that stop ideas or feelings

to unchoke

vsto unstop

6.7

To remove a block so water or air can flow again

emphasizes removing barriers to expression or progress rather than pipes

to ungrip

vsto unstop

7.5

To let go of a strong feeling or control that holds you back

is broader, about removing any obstacle to progress or expression

to unloosen

vsto unstop

Archaic

7.2

To make something less tight or free it from something holding it

applies more to easing barriers to communication or feeling rather than ropes

Antonyms

to block

∞ 3.0

To stop movement, access, or progress

to hinder

75 3.6

To make it difficult for people or things to do something

How Unblocked

to release

∞ 1.8

to open up

Informal

149 2.9

to unstop

6.0

to unblock

3 3.1

to unclog

7 3.2

Surface Forms

unstop infinitive

unstopped past

unstopped past participle

unstopping present participle

unstops third person singular

Morphology

unstop = stop (transparent) = un

The abstract sense still transparently means removing an obstacle to flow, progress, or expression.

Etymology

Unstop is easy to remember because it combines un- 'reverse' with stop 'block', like unblock, so to unstop feelings or ideas is to remove what holds them back and let them flow.