unearth

verb

ˌən-ˈərth How to pronounce unearth (audio)
Definition of unearthnext
as in to exhume
to remove from place of burial unearthed a hoard of treasures from the Egyptian tomb

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb unearth contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of unearth are ascertain, determine, discover, and learn. While all these words mean "to find out what one did not previously know," unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden.

unearth old records

When is ascertain a more appropriate choice than unearth?

The words ascertain and unearth are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When can determine be used instead of unearth?

While the synonyms determine and unearth are close in meaning, determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

When might discover be a better fit than unearth?

Although the words discover and unearth have much in common, discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

When would learn be a good substitute for unearth?

While in some cases nearly identical to unearth, 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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unearth From Hollywood's Golden Age and the '70s catastrophe obsession to today, these films have unearthed every pitiless corner of nature's wrath, from towering tsunamis and viral pandemics to all-out apocalypses and more. —Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 3 July 2025 As questions about her past arise, painful memories are unearthed. —Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 Here’s everything to know about the legendary aviator’s last flight and what has been unearthed since. —Yasmeen Hamadeh, People.com, 2 July 2025 Manske loves to unearth travel joy, beauty, adventure and humor through her articles and camera lens. —Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unearth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unearth
exhume
Verb
  • Investigators in Detroit exhumed the bodies of unidentified victims to obtain DNA to help solve cold cases.
    — Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 16 June 2025
  • None of this is definitive, but exhuming Goldie’s body to collect and test some tissues could rule out (or rule in) a number of their lines of inquiry.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of exhume

Browse Nearby Words

uneager
unearth
unearthed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unearth. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of unearth for Spanish Speakers

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