declassify

verb

de·​clas·​si·​fy (ˌ)dē-ˈkla-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce declassify (audio)
declassified; declassifying; declassifies

transitive verb

: to remove or reduce the security classification of
declassify a secret document
declassification noun

Examples of declassify in a Sentence

The government has not yet declassified that information.
Recent Examples on the Web However, several prominent Senators are calling for the government to declassify information shared at a recent intelligence briefing about the influence and reach of TikTok. Thomas Germain / Gizmodo, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024 Congress has mandated a second report by the Pentagon and passed a measure last year ordering the National Archives to declassify more records. Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 That led to the White House declassifying intelligence that Russia's pursuing an anti-satellite capability, serious concern. CBS News, 3 Mar. 2024 The group decided to declassify evidence that Russian troops were massing near Ukraine’s borders. TIME, 29 Feb. 2024 But ultimately, the broad authority to declassify secrets rests with the President. TIME, 29 Feb. 2024 Turner, in his initial statement, called on the Biden administration to declassify all information about the threat. Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 Little attention was paid to Alderney’s wartime history until the early Eighties, when a slew of documents were declassified, and the South African journalist Solomon H. Steckoll began to sift through them. Rebecca Panovka, Harper's Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 Turner issued a statement urging the administration to declassify the information so the U.S. and its allies can openly discuss how to respond. Matthew Lee, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'declassify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of declassify was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near declassify

Cite this Entry

“Declassify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declassify. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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