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to unstuff

to unstuff

1 7.4
To clear a blocked nose or ear so air can move
  • verb
  • /ʌnˈstʌf/
translation icon : desatascar
  • To prepare for the hike, she decided to unstuff her backpack of all unnecessary items.

Examples

  • I come to you unarmed and in peace to unstuff your ears, Sachem.

  • After the snowstorm, we had to unstuff the driveway before we could leave the house.

  • He used a wire to unstuff the drain, allowing the water to flow freely again.

Synonyms

to clear
vsto unstuff
1.5

To remove people or things from a place

is about taking away obstructing things rather than clearing people
to unclog
vsto unstuff
7 3.2

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

is broader, covering clearing any obstruction not only restoring flow
to unblock
vsto unstuff
3 3.1

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

is used to make things free by taking away what blocks them
to unstick
vsto unstuff
1 3.9

To come away from something it was stuck to

involves removing obstructing material rather than detaching stuck parts
to unjam
vsto unstuff
1 4.2

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

applies more widely to removing obstacles beyond mechanical jams
to unchoke
vsto unstuff
6.7

To remove a block so water or air can flow again

is used more generally for making items free from obstruction
to deblock
vsto unstuff
6.8

To remove a blockage from a pipe or drain

is wider, covering removal of any obstructing material or object
to decongest
vsto unstuff
5.2

To make a place less crowded by removing things that block it

focuses more on removing single obstructions rather than reducing crowding
to unstop
vsto unstuff
6.0

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

is more focused on physical removal of blocking material or objects

Antonyms

243 2.0

To fill something tightly with things

How Clear

clear
866 1.0
to unblock
3 3.1
to unstuff
1 7.4
to loosen
88 1.0

Surface Forms

unstuff infinitive
unstuffed past
unstuffed past participle
unstuffing present participle
unstuffs third person singular

Morphology

unstuff = stuff (transparent) = un + stuff

Formed by productive prefixation un- + the verb 'stuff', yielding a clear reversive meaning of removing or undoing what was stuffed.

Etymology

The word unstuff is made of un- meaning 'remove' and the common word stuff, meaning 'things that fill or block a space'. So, to unstuff something is to take out what is blocking it, like clearing your nose or ears.