unkinking
Getting out twists
Unkinking is the process of removing kinks—straightening what has become twisted, bent, or tangled.
A garden hose gets unkinking when you work out its coils so water flows freely.
The word applies to muscles and joints that need loosening: I spent the morning unkinking my back after sleeping on that couch.
Figuratively, unkinking can mean resolving complications or smoothing out difficulties in a plan or process.
Loosening from spiral form
- untwistingReversing a spiral motion
- straighteningMaking something not crooked
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- smoothingReducing irregularities systematically
untangling · unraveling · loosening · unwinding · flexing · releasing · freeing · unjamming
Reducing tightness or tension
- releasingAllowing to escape
- relaxingBecoming less tense
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- decompressingReleasing built-up tension
unwinding · destressing · soothing · alleviating · freeing · liberating · untensing · unclenching
Reaching a conclusion
- untanglingSeparating twisted strands
- sorting outResolving confusion or disorder
- clearing upBecoming less cloudy
- working throughAddressing something systematically
fixing · correcting · debugging · troubleshooting · rectifying · addressing · unraveling · disentangling
Capacity to bend easily
- pliabilityAbility to bend easily
- limbernessBodily flexibility
- bendabilityCapacity to flex
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
malleability · give · resilience · flexibility · looseness · fluidity · workability · springiness
uncoiling
Loosening from spiral form
- untwistingReversing a spiral motion
- straighteningMaking something not crooked
- unbendingRefusing to change position
smoothing · untangling · unraveling · loosening · unwinding · flexing · releasing · freeing · unjamming · uncurling
loosening
Reducing tightness or tension
decompressing · unwinding · destressing · soothing · alleviating · freeing · liberating · untensing · unclenching · mellowing
resolving
Reaching a conclusion
- untanglingSeparating twisted strands
- sorting outResolving confusion or disorder
- clearing upBecoming less cloudy
working through · fixing · correcting · debugging · troubleshooting · rectifying · addressing · unraveling · disentangling · streamlining
suppleness
Capacity to bend easily
- pliabilityAbility to bend easily
- limbernessBodily flexibility
- bendabilityCapacity to flex
elasticity · malleability · give · resilience · flexibility · looseness · fluidity · workability · springiness · stretchiness