unseal

verb

un·​seal ˌən-ˈsēl How to pronounce unseal (audio)
unsealed; unsealing; unseals

transitive verb

: to break or remove the seal of : open

Examples of unseal in a Sentence

The court unsealed the documents in the Douglas trial today.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The video illustrates allegations that first surfaced in a probable cause affidavit unsealed after Kohberger's arrest — which revealed that a neighbor's camera picked up sounds of a struggle followed by a dog's barking. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025 The court did not approve unsealing the affidavits establishing probable cause and leading to the search warrant's approval. Cate Charron, IndyStar, 7 Oct. 2025 Cogburn denied it in September 2024, saying that the First Amendment didn’t protect the public’s or press’s right to the video and agreeing with Loveridge’s defense that unsealing the video would jeopardize her right to a fair trial. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025 The magnetic lid is easy to operate and access without having to zip and unzip all the time or leave it sitting there unsealed during a picnic. Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unseal

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unseal was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unseal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unseal. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

unseal

verb
un·​seal ˌən-ˈsē(ə)l How to pronounce unseal (audio)
ˈən-
: to break or remove the seal of

More from Merriam-Webster on unseal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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