unloose

verb

un·​loose ˌən-ˈlüs How to pronounce unloose (audio)
unloosed; unloosing; unlooses

transitive verb

1
: to relax the strain of
unloose a grip
2
: to release from or as if from restraints : set free
3
: to loosen the ties of
unloose traditional social bonds

Examples of unloose in a Sentence

He unloosed the bonds that held her. the familiar scent unloosed a flood of pleasant memories from her childhood
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But in 2010, Bernanke proposed something much more far-reaching: an initiative to disburse interest-free loans to major banks to unloose new tranches of cash throughout the economy. Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 19 Jan. 2022 In a long, cozy sequence in the season’s first episode, Sam cooks breakfast for her sleeping household, sizzling sausage and frying eggs in a private ritual that’s best appreciated before her daughters rise and unloose chaos. Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2020 On his final attempt, Kovacs unloosed a throw of 73-4 to assume the lead. Ken Goe, OregonLive.com, 25 June 2017 As the story opens, the good people of Aldwinter are wondering whether an earthquake has unloosed their old monster from the estuary depths. Ron Charles, The Denver Post, 8 June 2017

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of unloose was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near unloose

Cite this Entry

“Unloose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unloose. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unloose

verb
un·​loose ˌən-ˈlüs How to pronounce unloose (audio)
ˈən-
1
: to make looser : relax
unloose a grip
2
: to set free
the new rules unloosed a flood of complaints
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!