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unbutton

[uhn-buht-n] / ʌnˈbʌt n /
VERB
unfasten
Synonyms
Antonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

As things get hot the temptation is to ditch the layers, get out the shorts and unbutton the flowery shirt.

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

The best tips were about using words first: “I need to unbutton your gown because I’m going to be scanning your chest, but I’ll keep you covered with this towel.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 7, 2026

Then McEnany laughed and asked her co-hosts for permission to unbutton what had become her too-tight blazer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2025

The juror explained that whenever he would start a long cross-examination, he would unbutton his suit jacket.

From Slate ● Jan. 26, 2024

How good it felt to drop his heavy satchel, unbutton the starched white shirt, tear off those stiff school shorts, and jump into the refreshing water!

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

When Fernandez shuffles to bed, Joe helps him take off his ring and his watch, unbuttons his shirt and cuffs and sleeves and takes off his shoes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 7, 2024

He has paced the sideline with the same vigor he played with, often sweating so much that he unbuttons his shirt and removes his tie in the second half.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 19, 2021

Proving how serious he is, he unbuttons his three shirt buttons and greets the groom with a very sincere, “What’s upppp.”

From Time ● Jan. 25, 2016

Five weeks later, in a heatwave, the Rhinoceros unbuttons his skin and goes for a swim.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 4, 2013

He unbuttons the jacket but doesn’t take it off.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

Reynolds shows a flamboyant cavalryman, leaning on his sword, his red coat unbuttoned to show his cream waistcoat and breeches.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

Wearing a partially unbuttoned denim shirt, he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

From BBC ● Jan. 20, 2026

Sweat, who is 70, has a golfer’s tan, flinty eyes, and a shirt unbuttoned just a little too far.

From Slate ● Nov. 6, 2025

On hand to assist with the unveiling near the intersection of Hollywood and Vine were Lakers great and fellow Dodgers owner Magic Johnson and Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, who wore an unbuttoned Dodgers jacket.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2025

He had removed his belt and shoes and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his white undershirt.

From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon

After unbuttoning his jersey to unveil an “I’m From Cleveland” T-shirt, Kelce wound up and then bounced his pitch halfway to the plate.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 7, 2023

After unbuttoning his jersey to unveil an “I’m From Cleveland” T-shirt, Kelce wound up and then bounced his pitch way in front of the plate.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 7, 2023

“Most people don’t mind loosening their sleeve or unbuttoning their shirt slightly.”

From Slate ● Feb. 23, 2021

Goldblum has suggested in interviews that this great unbuttoning was spontaneous, but whether it is, the effect is the same.

From New York Times ● Jul. 2, 2020

“Here, viejo, let me help you,” she said, unbuttoning Papá’s shirt and helping him to take it off.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez




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