declassify

verb

de·​clas·​si·​fy (ˌ)dē-ˈkla-sə-ˌfī 

declassified; declassifying; declassifies

transitive verb

: to remove or reduce the security classification of

declassify a secret document

declassification

(ˌ)dē-ˌkla-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Examples of declassify in a Sentence

The government has not yet declassified that information.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1946, three years before the creation of NATO, the Truman administration proposed buying Greenland for $100 million in gold, but the Danes didn’t accept the bid, according to Department of State documents declassified in the 1970s. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026

At the same time, Wilson submitted a non-binding proposal calling for the board to immediately declassify so that all directors are elected annually by shareholders. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 2 Jan. 2026

Maybe in 50 years this will all be declassified, but, for now, we’re left wondering about some major moments and logistics, compiled below. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 23 Dec. 2025

Reed is calling for the video of the strike to be declassified and made public. —Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for declassify

• acidify
• alveoli
• areolae
• demystify
• detoxify
• disqualify
• diversify
• electrify
• exemplify
• fasciculi
• identify
• indemnify