What does "unstrangle" mean?
To undo a constriction of the air passages, or restore to life after death by strangulation.
Unstrangle
verb
verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To undo a constriction of the air passages, or restore to life after death by strangulation.
- Grammar: unstrangle is listed as verb.
- Useful contrasts: garrote, garrotting.
- Usage evidence: After you are seated and help your wife unstrangle herself out of her cloak and pick up her opera glass bag seven or eight times, and say, "O, my God, can't you hang on to anything?"
How to use "unstrangle"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "unstrangle" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "unstrangle" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "unstrangle" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Check whether "unstrangle" is acting as verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To undo a constriction of the air passages, or restore to life after death by strangulation.
"After you are seated and help your wife unstrangle herself out of her cloak and pick up her opera glass bag seven or eight times, and say, "O, my God, can't you hang on to anything?""
- 2 To release from something that squeezes tightly around.
"Sores and blisters were one introduction to the world of work, and slashing at Clematis to unstrangle whippy shoots of beech, which slapped the face and stung the eyes in defiance, has left little affection for the creeper and a stoical appreciation of this irksome task."
- 3 To free from the stranglehold of excessive constraints.
"Those who are afraid to unstrangle the judge, and allow him to comment on the facts, contribute more than all others to the inefficiency of the jury today."
- 4 To free up (something) that has become choked up; unblock.
"He promised to unstrangle Houston's "miserable transportation system," to "get started rebuilding the inner city" and to "change attitudes" in the police department."
- 5 To relax from constricting tension.
"He drew a hand across his neck, as if to unstrangle his voice."
Antonyms
Example
"After you are seated and help your wife unstrangle herself out of her cloak and pick up her opera glass bag seven or eight times, and say, "O, my God, can't you hang on to anything?""
Common questions
How do you use "unstrangle" in a sentence?
After you are seated and help your wife unstrangle herself out of her cloak and pick up her opera glass bag seven or eight times, and say, "O, my God, can't you hang on to anything?"
Etymology
From un- + strangle.