unclench

/ˌən-ˈklench/ (ame, mw)

unclench — 動詞

  • unclenchpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unclenches3rd person singular
  • unclenching-ing form
  • unclenchedpast simple

1. to deliberately open a body part that has been squeezed tightly shut, such as a

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

鬆開

張開握緊的拳頭或牙關

to deliberately open a body part that has been squeezed tightly shut, such as a fist or the jaw, so that it returns to its normal relaxed state

例句

Asher took a deep breath and slowly unclenched his fists.

Asher 深深吸了一口氣，然後慢慢鬆開了拳頭。

unclench + possessive + body part (fists)

The dentist asked Jin to unclench his jaw so she could examine his teeth.

牙醫請 Jin 鬆開咬緊的牙關，以便檢查牙齒。

unclench + body part (jaw) in medical context

同義詞
  • relax

    more general; 'relax your hands' works in many contexts but is less vivid about the act of releasing tension from a clenched position

  • open

    simpler and broader; 'open your hand' describes the result without the implication of prior tight clenching

反義詞
  • clench

    the direct opposite — to squeeze a body part tightly shut

文法句型

unclench + noun (body part)

用法筆記

Object is almost always a body part — most commonly fist(s), hand(s), or jaw/teeth. Frequently used in contexts of anger, stress, or physical tension.

常見錯誤

❌He unclenched his bag.
✅He unclenched his fists.
💡'unclench' is for body parts that have been squeezed tight, not for objects you are holding.

2. to let go of something that you have been holding in a very tight grip, often be

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

放開

放開原本緊握的物體

to let go of something that you have been holding in a very tight grip, often because of fear, anger, or determination

例句

Faisal unclenched the strap of his backpack only after the train doors had closed.

Faisal 直到火車門關上後才放開緊緊抓住的背包帶子。

unclench + held object (backpack strap)

Sofia unclenched the letter and placed it carefully on the table.

Sofia 放開手中的信，小心地將它放在桌上。

同義詞
  • release

    more common and neutral; 'release your grip' works in any register

  • let go of

    everyday phrasal verb; less intense than 'unclench'

  • loosen

    implies partial rather than full release of grip

反義詞
  • grip

    to hold something very tightly

  • clutch

    to hold something tightly out of fear or need

文法句型

unclench + noun (object held tightly)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 focuses on releasing a held object (a letter, a strap, someone's hand), whereas sense 1 focuses on opening the clenched body part itself. Object can be an inanimate item or another person's body part.

常見錯誤

❌She unclenched the jar lid.
✅She unclenched her grip on the jar lid.
💡'unclench' describes releasing a grip, not unscrewing or opening an object.

3. to gradually stop being squeezed tight, so that a body part that was clenched be

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

放鬆

身體部位自行鬆開不再緊繃

to gradually stop being squeezed tight, so that a body part that was clenched becomes loose and relaxed on its own

例句

As the yoga session went on, Quan's shoulders finally unclenched and his breathing slowed.

隨著瑜伽課進行，Quan 的肩膀終於放鬆下來，呼吸也變慢了。

body part + unclenches (intransitive)

Beatrix felt her jaw unclench as the good news sank in.

Beatrix 聽到好消息後，感覺自己的下顎放了下來。

feel + body part + unclench (perception verb pattern)

同義詞
  • relax

    more common and broader; 'her jaw relaxed' is simpler but loses the specific image of unclenching

  • loosen

    suggests a gradual process of becoming less tight

反義詞
  • tighten

    to become tense or squeezed shut

  • clench up

    phrasal verb meaning to become tightly squeezed

文法句型

body part + unclenches

用法筆記

This intransitive sense describes the body part relaxing by itself, often involuntarily or in response to a change in emotion. There is no agent doing the action. Distinguish from sense 1 where someone deliberately opens a clenched body part.

常見錯誤

❌I unclenched my hands when I heard the good news.' (if the relaxing was involuntary)
✅My hands unclenched when I heard the good news.
💡Use the intransitive form when the body part relaxes on its own, without deliberate effort.