unbutton
verb
un·but·ton ˌən-ˈbə-tᵊn 
unbuttoned; unbuttoning; unbuttons
transitive verb
1
: to loose the buttons of
2
: to open by or as if by loosing buttons
intransitive verb
: to undo buttons
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Guys are left to unbutton their shirts, wear uncomfortably tight clothing or to get creative with scissors. 
Greg Emmanuel, Essence, 12 Oct. 2021 Brad Knox, then the vice president and counsel at Aflac, told the Post that Lt. Davis had informed him at the time that Mr. Reed had been drinking on the trip and tried to unbutton or unzip an article of her clothing. Kristina Peterson, WSJ, 19 Mar. 2021 The movie ends with a now-infamous encounter between Bakalova's young character, Tutar, and Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who appears to unbutton his pants in front of her following an interview. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2020 There was a 50-second pause at the start of the press conference as Castellanos had trouble unbuttoning his new jersey. Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, 28 Jan. 2020 At home, your child’s nimble fingers have started to help with tasks like unscrewing the cap on the toothpaste tube and (slowly) buttoning or unbuttoning clothes. New York Times, 18 Apr. 2020 My favorite tee depicted Ronald Reagan unbuttoning his dress shirt to reveal a chest made out of the American flag. Lauren Groff, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2020 The pros lost their heads as well, with Bersten completely unbuttoning his shirt and Savchenko entirely whipping off his garment. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2019 Thompson recalled unbuttoning his harness, coming out of the airship and trying to stand up and attempting to run. Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 June 2018 See More
Greg Emmanuel, Essence, 12 Oct. 2021 Brad Knox, then the vice president and counsel at Aflac, told the Post that Lt. Davis had informed him at the time that Mr. Reed had been drinking on the trip and tried to unbutton or unzip an article of her clothing. Kristina Peterson, WSJ, 19 Mar. 2021 The movie ends with a now-infamous encounter between Bakalova's young character, Tutar, and Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who appears to unbutton his pants in front of her following an interview. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2020 There was a 50-second pause at the start of the press conference as Castellanos had trouble unbuttoning his new jersey. Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, 28 Jan. 2020 At home, your child’s nimble fingers have started to help with tasks like unscrewing the cap on the toothpaste tube and (slowly) buttoning or unbuttoning clothes. New York Times, 18 Apr. 2020 My favorite tee depicted Ronald Reagan unbuttoning his dress shirt to reveal a chest made out of the American flag. Lauren Groff, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2020 The pros lost their heads as well, with Bersten completely unbuttoning his shirt and Savchenko entirely whipping off his garment. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2019 Thompson recalled unbuttoning his harness, coming out of the airship and trying to stand up and attempting to run. Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 June 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
unbutton
verb
un·but·ton ˌən-ˈbə-tᵊn
unbuttoned; unbuttoning
: to unfasten the buttons of
I unbuttoned my shirt.
unbuttoning
verb
as in unzipping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unzipping
- unfastening
- unclasping
- unclenching
- unfurling
- unlatching
- unlocking
- unfolding
- disengaging
- unbolting
- slipping
- unbarring
- opening
- unclosing
- releasing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- shutting
- closing
- clasping
- locking
- fastening
- latching
- barring
- bolting
- buttoning (up)
- zipping (up)