unshackle

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ʌnˈʃækəl/ UK /ʌnˈʃækəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #95018

Meanings

1

verb
to free a person, activity, or system from restrictions, restraints, or control

The grant could unshackle the researchers from short-term funding demands.
2

verb
to loosen or remove the physical shackles from a person or animal

The guard knelt to unshackle the prisoner's ankles.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to free a person, activity,... free liberateunfetterrelease

2 verb · to loosen or remove the... unchain unbindunfetterrelease

Opposites

shackle fetter restrain confine bind

Word family

Forms unshackled

Related forms shackle emancipate liberty restraint chain freedom

Etymology

Formed in English from un- ('reverse or remove') + shackle. Shackle descends from Old English scacul, 'fetter,' a Germanic word for a restraint placed around a limb. The literal act of removing irons readily developed the figurative sense of freeing a person, mind, institution, or activity from constraint.

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# unshackle

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ʌnˈʃækəl/
**IPA (UK):** /ʌnˈʃækəl/
**Frequency rank:** 95018

## Meanings
1. to free a person, activity, or system from restrictions, restraints, or control
2. to loosen or remove the physical shackles from a person or animal

## Examples
- The grant could unshackle the researchers from short-term funding demands.
- The guard knelt to unshackle the prisoner's ankles.

## Synonyms
- free
- liberate
- unfetter
- release
- unchain
- unbind

## Antonyms
- shackle
- fetter
- restrain
- confine
- bind

## Related Forms
- shackle
- emancipate
- liberty
- restraint
- chain
- freedom

## Etymology
Formed in English from un- ('reverse or remove') + shackle. Shackle descends from Old English scacul, 'fetter,' a Germanic word for a restraint placed around a limb. The literal act of removing irons readily developed the figurative sense of freeing a person, mind, institution, or activity from constraint.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

markdown