unlearn

verb

un·​learn ˌən-ˈlərn 

unlearned; unlearning; unlearns

transitive verb

1

: to put out of one's knowledge or memory

… he would have to unlearn the pro athlete's mantra of "playing with pain."

—Victor Frankel

2

: to undo the effect of : discard the habit of

Synonyms of unlearn

• forget

Examples of unlearn in a Sentence

It is hard to unlearn bad habits.

let's hope that over the summer I don't unlearn everything I learned over the course of this past year

Recent Examples on the Web

Learn, unlearn, relearn, repeat. — Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

While the process of unlearning everything you’ve ever been taught doesn’t happen overnight, resources like this new guidebook from Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall, a design anthropologist, educator, and writer, are excellent tools for self-improvement. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 18 June 2026

By focusing the mind on thoughts and feelings, a meditating person begins to unlearn conventional perspectives and mental attitudes that are the root of suffering. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026

Lessons still unlearned Here’s another lesson. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for unlearn

• moderne
• relearn
• bairn
• cairn

Kids Definition

unlearn

verb

un·​learn ˌən-ˈlərn 

: to put out of one's knowledge or memory