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.

The tech professional is a member of Jakarta's "Playing Community", a group that gathers after work every Friday to let off steam in ways not usually associated with grown-ups.

From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026

She realized she needed to let off steam in a way she rarely does.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2025

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

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

let off steam

Example Sentences

Related Words