unstick

verb

un·​stick ˌən-ˈstik How to pronounce unstick (audio)
unstuck ˌən-ˈstək How to pronounce unstick (audio) ; unsticking

transitive verb

: to release from a state of adhesion

Examples of unstick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The guy who couldn’t unstick his Elvis accent after playing the king of rock and roll in Baz Luhrmann’s extravagant 2022 biopic? Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Jeremy Hunt, Britain’s top financial official, announced a slew of measures intended to unstick the nation’s stagnant economy by encouraging corporate investment and pushing more people into the work force. Eshe Nelson, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023 Instacart’s listing could help unstick the backlog of companies whose plans to go public have been stymied by the longest lull in US listings since the financial crisis in 2009. Ryan Gould, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023 The scientists didn't work with any real-life arachnids while designing their tech, instead drawing inspiration from a beetle species in Florida that can stick and unstick from leaves at will. Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2010 The bed jostles, a noiseless vibration, as heart monitors unstick themselves from her chest and retreat into the EKG monitor. Annalee Newitz, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2023 Not having to unstick mower blades coated with grass and dirt after more than half a year in the garage is a bonus. Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2023 Asteroid Splitting Doesn't Work How to unstick a gecko. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2012 And is there anyone willing to reach down their hand to unstick a garbage disposal? Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unstick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unstick was in 1706

Dictionary Entries Near unstick

Cite this Entry

“Unstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unstick. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unstick

verb
un·​stick ˌən-ˈstik How to pronounce unstick (audio)
ˈən-
unstuck -ˈstək How to pronounce unstick (audio) ; unsticking
: to free from being stuck or bound
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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