unfetter
Americanverb (used with object)
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to release from fetters.
-
to free from restraint; liberate.
verb
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to release from fetters, bonds, etc
-
to release from restraint or inhibition
Etymology
Origin of unfetter
First recorded in 1325–75, unfetter is from the Middle English word unfeteren. See un- 2, fetter
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.
His long run delivered only partial victories on his two primary ambitions: to unfetter Japan’s military after decades of postwar pacifism and to jump-start and overhaul its economy.
From New York Times • Jul. 8, 2022
As spring ends, maple trees begin to unfetter winged seeds that flutter and swirl from branches to land gently on the ground.
From Scientific American • Sep. 22, 2021
I experience a momentary, but delicious satisfaction, and then I unfetter the hair.
From Salon • Sep. 9, 2012
With Misbah-ul-Haq almost redundant with the bat, there's no better time to unfetter young talent.
From The Guardian • May 12, 2010
To secure true progress, we must unfetter genius, and chain down mediocrity.
From Cannibals all! or, Slaves without masters by Fitzhugh, George
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.
