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 unearthThe trove was unearthed between 2012–14, during the construction of Bloomberg’s European headquarters in London.—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 18 Mar. 2025 Radiohead have unearthed a previously unseen video of a Thom Yorke acoustic performance from 1995 to mark the 30th anniversary of The Bends.—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025 The Digest Archaeologists have unearthed the torso of a 12th or 13th-century statue of Buddha in Cambodia’s Angkor temple complex, which matches a head found at the site nearly a century ago.—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 13 Mar. 2025 Read Next: Alabama Fossil Hunter Finds 34-Million-Year-Old Whale Skull on Her Family Farm
After unearthing the prehistoric fossil, the team spent two days covering it in protective plaster and building a frame to transport it back to the Sul Ros campus in Alpine.—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unearth
Share