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Synonyms

unfetter

American  
[uhn-fet-er] / ʌnˈfɛt ər /

verb (used with object)

  1. to release from fetters.

  2. to free from restraint; liberate.


unfetter British  
/ ʌnˈfɛtə /

verb

  1. to release from fetters, bonds, etc

  2. to release from restraint or inhibition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

See Examples For:

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

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