unclench

American

[uhn-klench] / ʌnˈklɛntʃ /

Also unclinch

verb (used with or without object)

to open or become opened from a clenched state.

Etymology

Origin of unclench

First recorded in 1300–50, unclench is from the Middle English word unclenchen. See un- ², clench

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.

Meanwhile Novartis enlisted a group of NFL tight ends including Rob Gronkowski and George Kittle to encourage men to unclench their derrières and check out blood testing for prostate cancer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

The “cleanse” stretched from days into weeks, and Ramona felt her mind unclench.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 31, 2024

For the first time in months, I feel my heart unclench a bit.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2023

So relax your shoulders, unclench your jaw, cast away any negative misconceptions that you shouldn't have dessert for breakfast, and cut yourself a slice of this rustic Apple galette.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2022

But his fist was so cold that he couldn’t unclench it to show her.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023