Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- intransitive verb To loosen from a clenched position; relax.
- intransitive verb To become unclenched.
from The Century Dictionary.
- To open, or to force open, as the closed hand.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- transitive verb Same as
unclinch .
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb transitive to open (something that was
clenched ) - verb intransitive to
relax , especially one's muscles
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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An Iranian theocratic regime had launched a bid for dominion in its region; Mr. Obama offered it an olive branch and waited for it to "unclench" its fist.
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By adopting this approach, President Obama would be carrying out his inaugural offer to repressive regimes of extending a hand - but only to those willing to "unclench" their fists.
Jerry Fowler: President Obama Must Address Sudan at the UN General Assembly 2009
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In between apologizing for our past, our present, our strength, and our prosperity, the Bama promised our enemies great rewards if they'd just "unclench" their fists.
Monicamemo.com 2010
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Middle East specialists said the latest move was not surprising, given President Obama's remarks in his inaugural address that Washington was willing to extend a hand to hostile regimes if they "unclench" their fists.
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"unclench" its fist, amid reports that the new administration is considering further gestures.
PrairiePundit 2009
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"unclench" its fist, amid reports that the new administration is considering further gestures.
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"unclench" its fist, amid reports that the new administration is considering further gestures.
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Nor did he unclench his hands during all the time they sang.
CHAPTER XXX 2010
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They teach me to let go, to unclench, to find peace.
Shasta Nelson, M.Div.: Blessing of the Open Hands M.Div. Shasta Nelson 2011
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They teach me to let go, to unclench, to find peace.
Shasta Nelson, M.Div.: Blessing of the Open Hands M.Div. Shasta Nelson 2011
bilby commented on the word unclench
"Extending his hand to Tehran, President Obama has invited those who govern the Islamic republic to 'unclench their fists.' Yet to a considerable degree, those clenched fists are of our own making."
- Andrew Bacevich, Farewell, the American Century, tomdispatch.com, 28 April 2009.
April 29, 2009