UNCHAIN Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

unchain

verb

ˌən-ˈchān

Definition of unchain

as in to free

to set free (as from slavery or confinement) activists for animal rights who would like to unchain zoo animals and return them to the wild

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of unchain The nationwide standalone 5G that the carrier announced Wednesday essentially unchains that service from 4G LTE, allowing devices to connect to the network without first requiring a setup via AT&T’s older and slower network. — PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025 When Henson refused to unchain herself from the fence, California Highway Patrol arrested her. — Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2024 Max eventually unchains himself and helps Furiosa in her quest to free the cult leader's wives, gaining mutual respect along the way. — Ew Staff, EW.com, 3 July 2024 Van Gogh had unchained it from its age-old funereal associations and reinvented it as a tour de force of emotional connection and nurturance. — Deborah Solomon, New York Times, 11 May 2023 On Wednesday, the rescuers carefully lifted the shed enough to reach Bubbles and unchain the dog. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 3 Sep. 2021 The feds give an official exemption to Nuro, a company working on small self-driving cars—a sign that regulators are willing to unchain autonomous vehicles from the old rules. — Aarian Marshall, Wired, 9 Feb. 2020 Police say the three protesters had the ability to unchain themselves from the equipment but refused. — USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unchain

Verb

The result is a system that, in the long term, could carry out sub hunting autonomously, but in the short term acts as an onboard co-pilot, freeing up human operators while doubling sonobuoy processing capacity.

— David Szondy August 12, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
The film memorably told the story of a young boy who befriends and tries to free a killer whale who has been captured in the wild and is living in an aquarium.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of free

Verb

In 2020, DirecTV and AT&T struck a deal with Charter, not so much to liberate Dodgers fans as to help the parties maintain a shrinking base of subscribers amid a proliferation of video options.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
No need to spiral; the clarity can ultimately liberate you from these unnecessary financial burdens.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of liberate

Verb

The team has appeared comfortable all offseason — after re-signing Singleton and Strnad in free agency and releasing fellow veteran Dre Greenlaw — relying on this young, developing cast to fill the depth positions.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
The district has released a set of maps, outlining the potential changes.

— James Taylor, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of release

Verb

Those funds will help animals like Violet, a 7-year-old sheep dog mix rescued from South LA's shelter; Harper, rescued from a homeless encampment; and Claurese, surrendered when her family couldn't afford her medical bills.

— Joy Benedict, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Rajab survived the initial fire and pleaded on the phone for hours with Palestinian paramedics to come rescue her.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rescue

Verb

Andre Blake saved two shots for Philadelphia, which has won four in a row under 37-year-old interim coach Ryan Richter after Bradley Carnell was let go in late May.

— CBS New York Team, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Messi had a shot saved at the beginning of the second half, but Palacios then sparked a move from one side of the pitch to the other as Nashville restored its lead in the 49th minute and seized control of the game.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of save

Verb

Made from wood chips and sawdust bound with resin, particleboard can swell when exposed to moisture, while screws and bolts can loosen over time.

— Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026
Even before this summer’s heat, the EU had begun loosening a number of its emissions targets and delaying the phaseout of gas and diesel vehicles, in an apparent effort to blunt the far right’s use of green policies as a campaign issue.

— Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of loosen

Verb

In 1775, his first enslaver sold him to the commander of Framingham's Minute Men, who emancipated him, and Salem went on to fight at Lexington and Concord.

— Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 4 July 2026
Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of Shakespeare’s Othello and how ancient plays can emancipate readers from some of their modern prejudices.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026

Definition of emancipate

Browse Nearby Words

uncertainty

unchain

unchained

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“Unchain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unchain. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unchain

verb

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