unclench
verb
un·clench ˌən-ˈklench 
unclenched; unclenching; unclenches
transitive verb
1
: to open from a clenched position
2
: to release from a grip
intransitive verb
: to become unclasped or relaxed
Example Sentences
He unclenched his jaw and took deep breaths. I could feel my jaw unclenching as the pain subsided.
Recent Examples on the Web For those who are vaccinated, relatively healthy, financially stable and with access to decent health care, there’s reason to unclench your jaw. 
Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2022 Her storyline brought all our favorites together in the ambulance bay, working as a team to figure out how to unclench Gigi's jaw from her owner's arm. Lincee Ray, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2022 The family eventually settled in an area where children were regularly attacked by a local pit bull and people would come running with flaming torches, because fire was one of the few things that would make the dog unclench its jaws. Akhil Sharma, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2022 Corinne watches the anchor clench and unclench her left hand, her nails perfectly manicured and pink. Rebecca Makkai, Harper's Magazine, 17 Aug. 2021 Time to unclench your brain and open your mind to the creative possibilities that constructors come up with. New York Times, 22 Apr. 2020 My relief creeped in slowly and my shoulders unclenched. Hannah Howard, Longreads, 1 Nov. 2019 Have your muscles unclenched from the almost-90-minute anxiety state that was last night's epic episode of Game of Thrones? Abby Gardner, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2019 So unclench your muscles and commit to melting your own heart in the face of the seemingly undoable and unfeelable. Bess Matassa, Teen Vogue, 11 Aug. 2018 See More
Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2022 Her storyline brought all our favorites together in the ambulance bay, working as a team to figure out how to unclench Gigi's jaw from her owner's arm. Lincee Ray, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2022 The family eventually settled in an area where children were regularly attacked by a local pit bull and people would come running with flaming torches, because fire was one of the few things that would make the dog unclench its jaws. Akhil Sharma, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2022 Corinne watches the anchor clench and unclench her left hand, her nails perfectly manicured and pink. Rebecca Makkai, Harper's Magazine, 17 Aug. 2021 Time to unclench your brain and open your mind to the creative possibilities that constructors come up with. New York Times, 22 Apr. 2020 My relief creeped in slowly and my shoulders unclenched. Hannah Howard, Longreads, 1 Nov. 2019 Have your muscles unclenched from the almost-90-minute anxiety state that was last night's epic episode of Game of Thrones? Abby Gardner, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2019 So unclench your muscles and commit to melting your own heart in the face of the seemingly undoable and unfeelable. Bess Matassa, Teen Vogue, 11 Aug. 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
1647, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
unclench
verb
as in to unfurl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unfurl
- unbutton
- unzip
- unfasten
- unclasp
- disengage
- unfold
- unlatch
- unlock
- unbar
- unbolt
- slip
- open
- unclose
- release
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- shut
- close
- lock
- fasten
- bar
- clasp
- latch
- bolt
- button (up)
- zip (up)