unstring

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ʌnˈstrɪŋ/ UK /ʌnˈstrɪŋ/ See IPA manual

Freq #1101866

Meanings

1

verb
to remove the string or strings from a bow, musical instrument, or similar object

The instructor told the archers to unstring their bows before putting them away.
2

verb
to make someone emotionally upset, nervous, or unable to remain composed

The sudden accusation left the normally calm witness completely unstrung.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to remove the string or... destringloosen dismantle

2 verb · to make someone emotionally... unnerve unsettle rattle discompose

Opposites

string calm steady compose

Word family

Forms unstrung

Derived forms unstrungunstringing

Related forms string bowstring unnerve

Etymology

Formed from the reversative prefix un- + string. The literal sense is to remove or loosen strings. The figurative sense, now most familiar in the participle unstrung, treats a person's nerves or composure as strings whose tension and order have been disturbed.

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# unstring

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ʌnˈstrɪŋ/
**IPA (UK):** /ʌnˈstrɪŋ/
**Frequency rank:** 1101866

## Meanings
1. to remove the string or strings from a bow, musical instrument, or similar object
2. to make someone emotionally upset, nervous, or unable to remain composed

## Examples
- The instructor told the archers to unstring their bows before putting them away.
- The sudden accusation left the normally calm witness completely unstrung.

## Synonyms
- destring
- loosen
- unnerve
- unsettle
- rattle
- discompose

## Antonyms
- string
- calm
- steady
- compose

## Derived Forms
- unstrung
- unstringing

## Related Forms
- string
- bowstring
- unnerve

## Etymology
Formed from the reversative prefix un- + string. The literal sense is to remove or loosen strings. The figurative sense, now most familiar in the participle unstrung, treats a person's nerves or composure as strings whose tension and order have been disturbed.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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