unstick

American  

[uhn-stik] / ʌnˈstɪk /

verb (used with object)

unstuck, unsticking

1. to free, as one thing stuck to another.

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verb (used without object)

unstuck, unsticking

1. to become unstuck.

   Finally, the car's horn unstuck.

unstick British  

/ ʌnˈstɪk /

verb

1. (tr) to free or loosen (something stuck)

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Etymology

Origin of unstick

First recorded in 1700–10; un- ² + stick ²

Example Sentences

Powered by the same 400V system as the turbos and e-motor, the roll-stabilizing ehPDCC tenses and relaxes the front and rear anti-roll bars dynamically—very dynamically, in fact—instantaneously resisting roll and other chassis forces that might unstick the tires.

From The Wall Street Journal

As Millie and Tim fall into a well-worn pattern, their literal inability to unstick themselves from something increasingly toxic becomes both hysterical and uniquely depraved.

From Salon

“The fans, equally, are basically stuck sometimes, and I guess it's our job to subtly, not forcefully, unstick them,” he said.

From Salon

I knew what she meant: I’d only gotten acupuncture once, despite her promise that bodywork could “unstick” the trauma; I refused to let Dr. M hypnotize me.

From Slate

The two Guardians holding JP and Alex wave their hands, and Alex’s and JP’s mouths unstick.

From Literature

Related Words

• alleviate
• break up
• ease
• loose
• relax
• slacken
• undo
• unlock
• unscrew
• untie