unclench
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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
I think the presence of four hands, rather than the usual two, doubles down on this intention — the way bodies can successfully signal to one another to loosen up, unclench, allow flow.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2025
The “cleanse” stretched from days into weeks, and Ramona felt her mind unclench.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 31, 2024
People like my sibling who desperately needs to unclench, and to whom I might send a $17 bottle of “bowel support” listed under the site’s gifts for travel enthusiasts.
From Salon ● Nov. 4, 2023
My hands clench, unclench; I hide them behind my back.
From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
