unseal

verb

un·​seal ˌən-ˈsēl 

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

According to the complaint unsealed Wednesday, Montano told the debtor he was targeted by the Mexican Mafia and demanded $2,000. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

The release of the footage comes after the Virginian-Pilot and the Daily Press filed a motion earlier this year for it to be unsealed, arguing that keeping it from the public violated the First Amendment. — Juan Benn Jr, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Both indictments, which were filed last month, were unsealed Wednesday with significant redactions. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Grand jury proceedings are secret, but if an indictment is returned, it’s generally unsealed when prosecutors bring the defendant into court for arraignment. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unseal

• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• congeal
• coquille
• corneal
• cornmeal
• flywheel
• genteel

Kids Definition

unseal

verb

un·​seal ˌən-ˈsē(ə)l 

ˈən-

: to break or remove the seal of