1 unleash | Definition of unleash

unleash

verb
un·​leash | \ ˌən-ˈlÄ“sh How to pronounce unleash (audio) \
unleashed; unleashing; unleashes

Definition of unleash

transitive verb

1 : to free from or as if from a leash : let loose unleash the dogs unleashing his anger
2 : to throw, shoot, or set in motion forcefully unleashed a superb shot … to earn his side a pointThe New York Times

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Examples of unleash in a Sentence

The storm unleashed its fury. The editorial unleashed a torrent of angry responses.

Recent Examples on the Web

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, whom Trump appointed last year, had barely finished speaking at the Fed’s annual event when Trump unleashed a Twitter tirade against him. Emily Barrett, Los Angeles Times, "Stocks drop as Trump trade war and tantrums undo Fed’s efforts," 23 Aug. 2019 For example, when the jet stream takes a big dip in the middle of the country in the spring, the risk for violent thunderstorms that can unleash damaging winds and hail and delay travel increases. Amy Ettinger, The Know, "Climate change is coming for your travel plans. Here’s how to cope.," 6 Aug. 2019 Lima then set up Vako, who unleashed a shot in the box that sailed past a diving Irwin for his seventh goal of the season. Field Level Media, The Mercury News, "San Jose Earthquakes beat Colorado Rapids for fourth straight win," 27 July 2019 Keytruda, which unleashes a patient’s own immune system to fight tumors, was once an afterthought buried in Merck’s research-and-development pipeline but has in the past few years become a commercial juggernaut for the company. Jared S. Hopkins, WSJ, "Merck Seeks More Deals as It Expands Its Cancer Treatments Portfolio," 19 June 2019 But unlike roller coasters, which usually unleash their biggest drops near the beginning of the ride, flume rides save the suspense for their finales. Arthur Levine, USA TODAY, "America's top log flume rides: Five of our favorites, from Splash Mountain to Ripsaw Falls," 17 June 2019 The suspect is an astrophysical beast that can unleash vast sums of energy. Wired, "Astronomers Think They Can Explain Mysterious Cosmic Bursts," 10 Mar. 2019 The suspect is an astrophysical beast that can unleash vast sums of energy. Quanta Magazine, "With a Second Repeating Radio Burst, Astronomers Close In on an Explanation," 28 Feb. 2019 Laura Plyler is Lady Macbeth, the ruthlessly ambitious woman whose relentless goading unleashes the murderous tyrant in her husband. sun-sentinel.com, "Review: A dark and earnest ‘Macbeth’ from New City Players," 16 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unleash.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of unleash

circa 1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for unleash

unleash

verb

English Language Learners Definition of unleash

: to allow or cause (something very powerful) to happen suddenly
: to remove a leash from (an animal) so that it can freely run, attack someone, etc.

unleash

verb
un·​leash | \ ˌən-ˈlÄ“sh How to pronounce unleash (audio) \
unleashed; unleashing

Kids Definition of unleash

: to free from or as if from a leash A storm unleashed its fury.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unleash

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with unleash

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unleash

Spanish Central: Translation of unleash

Nglish: Translation of unleash for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of unleash for Arabic Speakers