unlock
verb
un·lock ˌən-ˈläk 
unlocked; unlocking; unlocks
transitive verb
1
: to unfasten the lock of
2
: open, undo
3
: to free from restraints or restrictions
the shock unlocked a flood of tears
4
: to furnish a key to : disclose
intransitive verb
: to become unfastened or freed from restraints
Synonyms
- loose
- loosen
- release
- uncork
- unleash
- unloose
- unloosen
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Could you unlock the door for me? geneticists unlocking the secrets of DNA The material's potential was unlocked only through extensive testing. How can I unlock my computer if I've forgotten the password? This class will unlock your creativity.
Recent Examples on the Web Tier Credits can be accumulated over time to unlock the best offers while Reward Credits are redeemable for special deals. 
cleveland, 10 Sep. 2022 There’s even an app to unlock augmented reality experiences referencing Moana, Tinkerbell, Tiana and other characters hidden throughout the tech-savvy vessel. Terry Ward, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022 For Empowering Latino Futures Programs Directordirector Ana Patiño, who came to San Diego from Mexico 15 years ago,using her first-ever library card to check out books by and about Latinos was the key that helped unlock her future. San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2022 By July 2026, the final stretch of the project to unlock one of the Bay Area’s nastiest traffic chokepoints should be completed, Caltrans and North Bay transportation officials said. Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 July 2022 Seated next to Mohammed, Biden devoted a section of his speech to the importance of tolerating dissent as a way to unlock innovation and of building accountable institutions. Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2022 Adapting analog processes and converting them to truly digital is the only way to completely unlock the potential of digital tools. Nacho De Marco, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Harris describes music as a kind of Rosetta Stone with which to unlock the mysteries of adolescence. Wired, 5 July 2022 Officers then smashed a rear window to unlock the car, according to Ellis, who did not note how long officers waited before doing so. Thomas Birmingham, The Courier-Journal, 22 June 2022 See More
cleveland, 10 Sep. 2022 There’s even an app to unlock augmented reality experiences referencing Moana, Tinkerbell, Tiana and other characters hidden throughout the tech-savvy vessel. Terry Ward, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022 For Empowering Latino Futures Programs Directordirector Ana Patiño, who came to San Diego from Mexico 15 years ago,using her first-ever library card to check out books by and about Latinos was the key that helped unlock her future. San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2022 By July 2026, the final stretch of the project to unlock one of the Bay Area’s nastiest traffic chokepoints should be completed, Caltrans and North Bay transportation officials said. Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 July 2022 Seated next to Mohammed, Biden devoted a section of his speech to the importance of tolerating dissent as a way to unlock innovation and of building accountable institutions. Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2022 Adapting analog processes and converting them to truly digital is the only way to completely unlock the potential of digital tools. Nacho De Marco, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Harris describes music as a kind of Rosetta Stone with which to unlock the mysteries of adolescence. Wired, 5 July 2022 Officers then smashed a rear window to unlock the car, according to Ellis, who did not note how long officers waited before doing so. Thomas Birmingham, The Courier-Journal, 22 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
unlock
verb
un·lock ˌən-ˈläk
unlocked; unlocking
1
: to unfasten the lock of
2
: to make known
Scientists are unlocking the secrets of nature.
unlocking
verb
as in unleashing
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unleashing
- loosening
- releasing
- expressing
- liberating
- uncorking
- loosing
- freeing
- letting go
- emancipating
- unloosing
- enfranchising
- unloosening
- springing
- unshackling
- airing
- unbinding
- unfettering
- unchaining
- discharging
- manumitting
- uncaging
- unmooring
- venting
- taking out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- controlling
- holding
- inhibiting
- checking
- containing
- regulating
- restraining
- governing
- constraining
- curbing
- taming
- smothering
- shackling
- handcuffing
- bridling
- confining
- reining (in)
- binding
- hampering
- fettering
- manacling
- trammelling
- trammeling
- enchaining
- haltering