unleash

American  

[uhn-leesh] / ʌnˈliʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to release from or as if from a leash; set loose to pursue or run at will.

2. to abandon control of.

   to unleash his fury.

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unleash British  

/ ʌnˈliːʃ /

verb

1. to release from or as if from a leash

2. to free from restraint or control

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Etymology

Origin of unleash

First recorded in 1665–75; un- ² + leash

Explanation

When you remove your dog's leash so she can run wildly across the beach, you unleash her — you set her loose. And when you unleash a storm of insults against your brother, you allow them to flow freely from your lips. There are two ways to use the verb unleash. Literally, it means "set loose," like when a police officer unleashes her trained dog to sniff luggage for illegal drugs, or a farmer unleashes her llama after moving it into a pen. Figuratively, you can unleash all kinds of emotions, forces, opinions, and actions. Unhappy citizens might unleash a series of high-profile protests, or a barrage of shouted demands, for example.

Example Sentences

That should eventually unleash new stock market highs.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

For a big-company CEO with big AI ambitions, Verizon’s VZ -0.49%decrease; red down pointing triangle Dan Schulman doesn’t pull punches about the pain the technology could unleash on America’s workforce.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

In Southern California, strong El Niños increase the likelihood of wet winters that replenish water supplies and tamp down wildfire risk but can also unleash flooding, debris flows and coastal erosion.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

He repeated an earlier threat to unleash "hell" but told US media there was a "good chance" of a deal being reached with Tehran.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

“Wouldn’t it be more effective to unleash the whole tank at once?”

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth