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
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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.
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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
The Shambala Center would unchain our brains Through mindfulness, yoga, and chanted refrains.
—Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 1 Apr. 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
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Pots, pans, trays, and lots of utensils can be shoved onto oven shelves to free up counter and kitchen table space.—
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The engine, freed from its hook by a sudden hard, precise kick, quickly sank into the river, pulling the cord tight and dragging the foreman underwater.—
Verb
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Hudson, for her part, felt liberated.—
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Russia’s president has claimed that his invasion of Ukraine was a mission to liberate the people of that country.—
Verb
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Yet again, Netflix has released a Harlan Coben adaptation on New Year’s Day—and again it’s written by Danny Brocklehurst (Fool Me Once).—
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The sateen weave strikes the perfect balance for fall—breathable enough to release pesky heat and moisture, yet cozy and smooth enough to snuggle into on cooler nights.—
Verb
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The Los Angeles County Fire Department on Wednesday rescued three people who were trapped under a collapsed retaining wall in Lennox.—
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In the final battle, the group of heroes kills Vecna, and the Mind Flayer, before rescuing the children and setting off bombs that destroy the Upside Down.—
Verb
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Keeping Tabs on Car and Insurance-Related Documents Good documentation helps save time and stress during claims or disputes.—
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After first responders tried to save her at the scene, she was taken to Hennepin Healthcare and pronounced dead.—
Verb
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The acidic properties of this inexpensive, nontoxic, and eco-friendly household cleaner help to break down grease, loosen dried-on food, and neutralize funky odors.—
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Instead of stimulating the brain, alcohol slows it down and loosens inhibitions.—
Verb
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The actress would go on to struggle with addiction issues and in February 1991, emancipated herself at the age of 14.—
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All the black captives in liberated territories were emancipated, and Amador was proclaimed king.—
Cite this Entry
“Unchain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unchain. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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