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Definitions

let off steam

VERB
have a ball
Synonyms
WEAK
beat the drum cut loose enjoy feast get down get it on go to town jubilate kick up one's heels let loose live it up make merry paint the town red party raise hell raise the roof rejoice revel revere
VERB
rage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blow up boil over erupt rampage roar seethe tear
STRONG
bristle chafe fret fulminate fume overflow rant rave scold scream splutter steam storm surge yell
WEAK
be beside oneself be furious be uncontrollable blow a fuse blow one's top fly off the handle foam at the mouth go berserk have a fit have a tantrum look daggers make a fuss over rail at rant and rave snap at throw a fit work oneself into sweat
Antonyms
STRONGEST
be calm
STRONG
be quiet compliment flatter praise
WEAK
be happy
VERB
release
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clear deliver discharge drop free issue leak surrender
STRONG
absolve acquit commute disengage dispense emancipate exculpate excuse exempt exonerate extricate liberate loose loosen manumit spring unbind unchain undo unfasten unleash unloose untie vent yield
WEAK
bail out cast loose give off give out go easy on let off let up on open up set at large set free set loose take out turn loose turn out unfetter unshackle wipe the slate clean
Antonyms
STRONGEST
confine detain hold imprison keep limit restrain retain suppress
STRONG
bind blame charge condemn convict fasten incarcerate incriminate prevent sentence
WEAK
collect gather maintain

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.

There were corrugated aluminum chutes down the mountainside to channel water, and I joked that they were water slides for predators to let off steam between kills.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2024

Both men said performing in the pantomime was a way to let off steam and forget work worries.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2023

A street full of 1980s-era cabarets and restaurants is a snapshot of a more prosperous time when young fishermen gathered to let off steam and spend big paychecks.

From New York Times • Jan. 3, 2023

Residents have confronted workers and police who have become known as “big whites” for the protective gear they wear, circulated protest videos online and coordinated nightly screaming and pot-banging events to let off steam.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 13, 2022

On Libra, if people felt hostile, they would be urged to put their energies into athletic contests or other competitive events, or simply to let off steam by going flying.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins