as in unleashes
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
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Recent Examples of unlocks
This defense is good enough to carry the Broncos to the AFC Championship, but Nix is the key that unlocks that final door, that trip to the Super Bowl.
—
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
The Jevons paradox works when a cheaper input unlocks new demand that didn’t previously exist.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
No one unlocks Kirill Kaprizov's scoring like his best friend, Zuccy.
—Ren Clayton, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
The collaboration kicks off a new Happy Meal, which includes a special box, one of 12 collectible character toys (two new characters will be rolled out every week); an activity book and a QR code that unlocks an interactive game that involves saving Hawkins from monsters.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
But national historic status also unlocks potential state and federal tax credits that developers can use to help rehab and repurpose historic buildings.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Finding them all unlocks the final clues to the Grandmother Tree.
—Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026
Transferring points to airline loyalty programs often unlocks significantly better value because most major credit card issuers partner with a range of airlines.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Although either of the two models are more than adequate, the extra $100 for the higher end model gives you twice the storage and the Touch ID, which not only unlocks the computer but many apps as well.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
The Jevons paradox works when a cheaper input unlocks new demand that didn’t previously exist.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
No one unlocks Kirill Kaprizov's scoring like his best friend, Zuccy.
—Ren Clayton, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
The collaboration kicks off a new Happy Meal, which includes a special box, one of 12 collectible character toys (two new characters will be rolled out every week); an activity book and a QR code that unlocks an interactive game that involves saving Hawkins from monsters.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
But national historic status also unlocks potential state and federal tax credits that developers can use to help rehab and repurpose historic buildings.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Finding them all unlocks the final clues to the Grandmother Tree.
—Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026
Transferring points to airline loyalty programs often unlocks significantly better value because most major credit card issuers partner with a range of airlines.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Although either of the two models are more than adequate, the extra $100 for the higher end model gives you twice the storage and the Touch ID, which not only unlocks the computer but many apps as well.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlocks
Verb
-
There, Sam unleashes reams upon reams of monologues about their past at a teary Mary, who fills in a few gaps.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
-
There, Sam unleashes reams upon reams of pent-up monologuing about their past while a teary Mary fills in a few gaps.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once the gunk loosens, simply wipe the interior clean with a cloth.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The jostling loosens her ties enough to make her drop.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlocks. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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