The word "staunches" means to stop the flow of something or to suppress it. Some antonyms for this word are "releases," "spreads," "uncorks," "activates," or "unleashes." These words have opposite meanings to "staunches," as they imply a loosening or unleashing of something. While "staunching" might be desired in certain situations, such as stopping a leak, its opposite actions are also necessary for progress and growth. Activating or unleashing the potential of a person or a project, for example, can lead to exciting and positive outcomes. Thus, it is important to consider both sides of the spectrum when choosing which action to take.