unstring

verb

un·​string ˌən-ˈstriŋ How to pronounce unstring (audio)
unstrung ˌən-ˈstrəŋ How to pronounce unstring (audio) ; unstringing ˌən-ˈstriŋ-iŋ How to pronounce unstring (audio)
Synonyms of unstringnext

transitive verb

1
: to loosen or remove the strings of
2
: to remove from a string
3
: to make weak, disordered, or unstable
was unstrung by the news

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of unstring in a Sentence

the kind of fierce combat that can unstring even hardened soldiers a little unstrung by the fact that he was on his first job interview

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unstring was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near unstring

unstretch

unstring

unstriped

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Unstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unstring. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

unstring

verb
un·​string ˌən-ˈstriŋ How to pronounce unstring (audio)
ˈən-
unstrung -ˈstrəŋ How to pronounce unstring (audio) ; unstringing -ˈstriŋ-iŋ How to pronounce unstring (audio)
1
: to loosen or remove the strings of
2
: to remove from a string
unstrung the beads
3
: to damage mentally or emotionally
unstrung by bad news
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...