unearth

verb

un·​earth ˌən-ˈərth 

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

Synonyms of unearth

• exhume

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

Potential side effects The downside to treating zinc cream like an overnight face mask is that the very thing making skin look calmer can also unearth problems beneath the surface. —Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 29 May 2026

More details have been unearthed pertaining to the health of Kyle Busch prior to the NASCAR legend’s sudden death last week. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026

Researchers began unearthing fragments at La Anita farm near El Calafate in Santa Cruz, Argentina, back in 2018. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026

All the fare comes on plates and in bowls handmade by Taura in his ceramics workshop; after the Arab oven was unearthed, Taura started crafting his own dinnerware to connect with the hotel’s roots. —Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unearth

• childbirth
• rebirth
• stillbirth
• tamworth
• afterbirth
• berth
• birth
• dearth
• earth
• firth
• girth
• mirth

Kids Definition

unearth

verb

un·​earth ˌən-ˈərth 

ˈən-

1

: to drive or draw from the earth : dig up

unearth buried treasure

2

: to bring to light : discover

unearth a secret