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Synonyms

unknot

American  
[uhn-not] / ʌnˈnɒt /

verb (used with object)

unknotted, unknotting
  1. to untie by or as if by undoing a knot.

    to unknot a tie.


Etymology

Origin of unknot

First recorded in 1590–1600; un- 2 + knot 1


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:

“This one is for smaller buttons. ... This one helps unknot shoelaces and stuff like that,” she says.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 3, 2022

It is tempting, in hindsight, to wonder if his scholarship wasn’t a trail of bread crumbs — one long, unconscious attempt to unknot the riddle of his vexed self.

From New York Times ● Nov. 24, 2020

Our feet and spines will unknot, and high heels will fade from consciousness along with foot-binding and rib removal to shrink your waist.

From The New Yorker ● May 16, 2016

We tried to untangle ourselves as much as possible, but the knot dissolved before we were able to determine whether it was the unknot or not.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 12, 2013

My arms went around her as I sank down to unknot the rope.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

On a recent morning in a Turkish cafe in ‌north London, Deborah Levy unknotted the silk scarf ‌around her neck in preparation.

From New York Times ● Jun. 2, 2023

Along the way, well before Ruiz unknotted the score, there was a list of problems for the Nationals, none unique to their quick trip to the desert.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 24, 2022

Paul answered with consecutive 3-pointers to knot it again, and he later unknotted it for good.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 1, 2020

But our dependence is too deep and complex to be quickly or cheaply unknotted.

From Slate ● Apr. 17, 2020

And for the first time since Genie’d found Michael, his stomach unknotted, just a tiny bit, but still.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

In particular, Mr. Cuomo said that the state needed help in unknotting a supply chain from large manufacturers to some 300 smaller laboratories in New York.

From New York Times ● Apr. 21, 2020

He writes and speaks with fierce honesty and is fascinated by the crooked road and unknotting life's inconsistencies, an inclination that can lead to splendid and scary places.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2016

It all seemed to make sense, and I felt myself unknotting.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 9, 2010

As they rushed to finish Phaedra, their fourth movie together, Producer Jules Dassin, 49, and Actress Melina Mercouri, 36, made sufficient progress at unknotting their tangled marital affairs to feel justified in announcing their engagement.

From Time Magazine Archive

His left hand was still cramped, but he was unknotting it slowly.

From "The Old Man and The Sea" by Ernest Hemingway

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