unearth

verb un·earth \ ˌən-ˈərth \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of unearth

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

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Examples of unearth in a Sentence

An old document was unearthed from the files.
They unearthed evidence that he had accepted bribes.

Recent Examples of unearth from the Web

Siena men’s basketball coach Jimmy Patsos resigned Friday, weeks after the college opened what has become a wide-ranging investigation that unearthed allegations of problems ranging from abusive conduct to financial improprieties within the program.

— tim reynolds, baltimoresun.com, "Siena men's basketball coach Jimmy Patsos resigns amid investigation into abuse," 13 Apr. 2018
Before Yahoo Sports unearthed the truth behind this scandal that shook golf patrons, Bud Light tweeted out their response to the ban.

— jenna west, SI.com, "'Dilly Dilly' Hats Were Reportedly Handed Out by Bud Light in Augusta," 7 Apr. 2018
Archaeologists have unearthed cuneiform tablets that spell out the recipe for such materials, but these were written in cryptic language meant to conceal trade secrets, Wight adds.

— doug main, The Atlantic, "Humankind’s Most Important Material," 7 Apr. 2018
Surprisingly, often the work of genealogy involves unearthing information that was carefully buried.

— The Root, "Tracing Your Roots: Why Did My Family Bury the Past?," 6 Apr. 2018
But Goldberg withdrew his support after the liberal watchdog group Media Matters for America on Wednesday unearthed a 2014 National Review podcast.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Koch network growing frustrated with the GOP’s 2018 agenda," 6 Apr. 2018
As the press descends on the island, and law enforcement unearths the nature of Ted’s crime — Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a crash — frustration gives way to exasperation.

— alan zilberman, idahostatesman, "‘Chappaquiddick’ appeases neither Kennedy fans nor its haters | Idaho Statesman," 5 Apr. 2018
Archaeologists have been unearthing the bones of prehistoric mammals and recently uncovered a whole new treasure trove of fossils.

— CBS News, "Subway construction unearths treasure trove of fossils from Los Angeles' prehistoric past," 22 Mar. 2018
The deer season ended about six weeks ago, but the event unearthed another tip that hunters can take with them into next season.

— chuck blount, San Antonio Express-News, "Want a venison sausage recipe? Too bad. It’s all a secret," 19 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unearth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unearth

15th century

unearth Synonyms

Synonyms

disinter, exhume;

Antonyms

bury, entomb, inhume, inter, tomb;

Synonym Discussion of 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.