unclenched

unclenched — verb

  • unclenchedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unclencheds3rd person singular
  • unclencheding-ing form
  • unclenchededpast simple

1. to open a fist, jaw, or other body part that has been held tightly closed, or to

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to open a fist, jaw, or other body part that has been held tightly closed, or to let go of something you were gripping hard.

例句

Felix unclenched his fist when the referee explained the mistake.

unclenched + fist after anger or fear

After the dentist spoke gently, Rania unclenched her jaw at last.

unclenched + jaw as pain or tension eases

同義詞
  • release

    best when the focus is on letting go of something being held

  • loosen

    broader and less tied to fists, jaws, or body tension

  • relax

    broader still; can describe the whole body or mind

反義詞
  • clench

    close or press together tightly

  • tighten

    make the grip or tension stronger

文法句型

unclench + body part

unclench + grip on + noun

用法筆記

Object is usually a fist, jaw, hand, fingers, or a grip on something. Distinguish from sense 2 — here someone actively opens or releases it, while sense 2 describes the tightness easing by itself.

常見錯誤

❌His hands unclenched the blanket when he calmed down.
✅His hands unclenched around the blanket when he calmed down.
💡with body parts as the subject, the change usually happens by itself, so use sense 2 without a direct object.

2. to become less tight or tense by itself, especially after fear, pain, or stress

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to become less tight or tense by itself, especially after fear, pain, or stress begins to pass.

例句

When the nurse smiled, Imani's hands unclenched around the blanket.

body part + unclenched around + noun

After the verdict, Christopher's jaw slowly unclenched beneath the courtroom lights.

jaw slowly unclenched after stress

同義詞
  • relax

    broader; can describe the whole body or mind as well

  • loosen

    common for knots, clothing, or muscles becoming less tight

  • soften

    often suggests the tension becoming gentler rather than opening

反義詞
  • clench

    become tightly closed or pressed together

  • tense up

    become physically tight from stress or fear

文法句型

body part + unclench

unclench around + noun

用法筆記

Subject is usually hands, fingers, a jaw, or another tense body part. Distinguish from sense 1 — no one is deliberately opening it; the tightness eases on its own.

常見錯誤

❌Mina unclenched around the chair arm after the speech ended.
✅Mina's fingers unclenched around the chair arm after the speech ended.
💡the intransitive subject is usually the body part, not the whole person.