# unleash

/ənˈɫiʃ/ (US) · /ʌnlˈiːʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unleash
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to release a powerful force

verb · CEFR B2

to let a strong force or feeling happen suddenly, often with a big effect.

For teachers: to release a powerful or destructive force, emotion, or set of events that was previously controlled or suppressed.

- The storm unleashed heavy rain and strong winds across the coast.
- The sudden change in government policy unleashed a wave of public protest that caught the administration completely off guard.

Usage: Always used with a direct object representing the force or emotion being released.

### 2. to free from a leash

verb · CEFR B1

to take a dog or other animal off its lead so it can run free.

For teachers: to remove a leash from an animal, typically a dog, allowing it to move without physical restraint.

- Once they reached the open field, she unleashed her dog so he could run.
- The hiker unleashed his golden retriever at the trailhead, allowing the animal to explore the undergrowth ahead of the group.

## Examples

- The storm is about to unleash its full power.
- The company plans to unleash a massive marketing campaign to coincide with the product launch next month.
- The sudden policy change threatened to unleash a wave of public anger that the administration was ill-prepared to contain or address through diplomatic channels.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.