unblock
Americanverb (used with object)
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unblocks,
present (3rd person singular)
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unblocked,
past participle, past
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unblocking
present participle
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to remove a block or obstruction from.
to unblock a channel; to unblock a person's credit.
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Bridge. to play (a suit) so that the last card of the suit in one hand can provide access to the hand of the partnership having the longer holding in the suit.
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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unblocksimple
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unblockssimple
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have unblockedperfect
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has unblockedperfect
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am unblockingprogressive
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are unblockingprogressive
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is unblockingprogressive
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have been unblockingperfect progressive
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has been unblockingperfect progressive
Past
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unblockedsimple
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had unblockedperfect
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was unblockingprogressive
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were unblockingprogressive
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had been unblockingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of unblock
Explanation
If you unblock something, you free it or clear it of anything that's in its way. A plumber's frequent task is to unblock pipes so water can move through them. You can unblock your stuffed-up nose by blowing into a tissue, or unblock the driveway by moving your bike into the garage. Cardiologists, or heart doctors, often need to operate on patients in order to unblock their clogged arteries, so blood can flow freely. Unblock comes from adding the "reversal" prefix un- to the verb block, "obstruct or hinder passage."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The deal to unblock the global energy funnel gives Iran a say in its future management, and a route to riches.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
After a flare-up in tensions around the American effort to unblock shipping traffic, markets appeared to welcome apparent de-escalation External link between Washington and Tehran.
From Barron's ● May 6, 2026
I can’t access them again until I return to my office and re-tap the pass to unblock them.
From Slate ● Apr. 26, 2026
Last week, the UK chaired talks involving more than 40 countries on how to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, with all participants agreeing that the war had to end first.
From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2026
They have gone down to unblock the mouth of the cave outside, and make a feint of entering.
From Gaut Gurley by D. P. Thompson
Surfshark consistently unblocks Netflix libraries worldwide, along with Disney+, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer.
From Salon ● Feb. 11, 2026
“Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it,” the account posted.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 16, 2025
The government believes the deal doesn’t endanger national interests or identity and unblocks the path for the country to join the EU.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 14, 2022
No strategy reliably unblocks your memory, but research shows you might mitigate the social damage.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 20, 2021
The therapy unblocks him, like a plunger inside a backed-up sink.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 24, 2020
According to a CNN report on Sunday, satellite images show that Iran has unblocked 50 out of the 69 tunnel entrances bombed by the US and Israel at 18 underground missile facilities.
From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026
The unblocked billions would help revive Hungary's ailing economy, he added.
From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026
In my testing, it unblocked everything I threw at it.
From Salon ● Mar. 27, 2026
Touch your phone to the Brick again, and the apps are unblocked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 23, 2025
It was lovely flying a low-winged plane, with its unblocked, endless view of sky—or, on that occasion, low-hanging cloud.
From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein
“Araghchi’s statement appears more aimed at unlocking negotiations than unblocking the Strait of Hormuz,” Michael Singh, former senior director for Middle East affairs at the National Security Council, said at the time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 18, 2026
Consider your primary use case first: streaming requires strong unblocking capabilities and fast speeds, privacy-focused users need audited no-logs policies and advanced security features, and budget-conscious users should prioritize value plans with essential features.
From Salon ● Feb. 11, 2026
What developers and private investors want from the UK and Scottish governments is the unblocking of obstacles in planning, support in building up the supply chain and reduced risk to investments.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2024
“Like acupuncture, which uses fine needles, Bojin is a method of unblocking stuck qi using a pointed tool made of stone or horn.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2024
And he had no intention of unblocking it.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
