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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.

See Examples For:

unclench

In that he echoes Barack Obama, who in 2009 told Iran’s regime, “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 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

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