unhands

Removes one's grip

Unhands is the third-person singular of unhand, an archaic or theatrical verb meaning to release one's grip on someone: Unhand me, villain!

The word appears almost exclusively in melodramatic or humorous contexts, evoking old-fashioned heroics.

Outside period pieces and parody, it sounds deliberately stagey.

release

ungrip

To let go

unclutch · relinquish · drop · release · free · liberate · disengage · detach · unfasten · unbind

coercion

release

To let go

  • freeWithout payment or restriction
  • let goCease holding something
  • liberateSet free from captivity

rescue · save · unpin · drop · relinquish · surrender · yield · give up · back off · stand down

surrender

relinquish

Voluntarily give up control

  • yieldProduce or relinquish
  • give upStop attempting something
  • cedeFormally surrender possession

forfeit · abandon · release · let go · turn over · concede · capitulate · submit · renounce · waive

Opposites
physical grip/hold

unhandsseizes

Takes by force

grabs · grasps · clutches · grips · holds

Family

unhand, unhanded

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G