unfreeze

American  

[uhn-freez] / ʌnˈfriz /

verb (used with object)

unfroze, unfrozen, unfreezing

1. to cause to thaw; melt.

2. to remove or relax controls or restrictions on (funds, prices, rents, etc.).

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verb (used without object)

unfroze, unfrozen, unfreezing

1. to become unfrozen; thaw.

unfreeze British  

/ ʌnˈfriːz /

verb

1. to thaw or cause to thaw

2. (tr) to relax governmental restrictions on (wages, prices, credit, etc) or on the manufacture or sale of (goods, etc)

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Etymology

Origin of unfreeze

First recorded in 1575–85; un- ² + freeze

Example Sentences

Magyar has promised to crack down on corruption, improve public services such as healthcare and carry out reforms required to unfreeze billions of euros in EU funds earmarked for Hungary.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Before Monday's announcement, the government had been in discussions with Harvard over a potential deal to unfreeze federal funding.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

“No way to unfreeze them,” she said, laughing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

On Tuesday, a federal court in a separate lawsuit ordered the administration to unfreeze more than $80 million in funding that is currently being withheld.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2025

“You all need to unfreeze me right now.”

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles