unearth

verb

un·​earth ˌən-ˈərth How to pronounce unearth (audio)
unearthed; unearthing; unearths

transitive verb

1
: to dig up out of or as if out of the earth : exhume
unearth treasure
unearth an old photo album
2
: to make known or public : bring to light
unearth a scandal
Choose the Right Synonym for unearth

discover, ascertain, determine, unearth, learn mean to find out what one did not previously know.

discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty.

attempts to ascertain the population of the region

determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden.

unearth old records

learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice.

I learned her name only today
learning Greek

Examples of unearth in a Sentence

An old document was unearthed from the files. They unearthed evidence that he had accepted bribes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In April, a University of Pennsylvania professor spoke with Fox News Digital about unearthing the tomb of an unknown pharaoh near Abydos. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025 In Xianyang, China, on the banks of the Weihe River, the remains of ancient homes have been unearthed for the first time in thousands of years. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025 More material would doubtless be unearthed in discovery. Deborah Baker june 3, Literary Hub, 3 June 2025 Confession unearthed decades later In 2023 and 2024, prosecutors said the district attorney’s crime lab looked to DNA testing to close the case. Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unearth

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unearth was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unearth. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

unearth

verb
un·​earth ˌən-ˈərth How to pronounce unearth (audio)
ˈən-
1
: to drive or draw from the earth : dig up
unearth buried treasure
2
: to bring to light : discover
unearth a secret

More from Merriam-Webster on unearth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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