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

Examples 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 During Cleveland’s first bid for the presidency, it was unearthed that a decade prior, a woman named Maria Halpin had given birth to a son with the last name Cleveland, who was later adopted by another family, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Bailey Richards, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025 Through images laced in solemn lyricism, the filmmakers unearth the truth about what happened in a soul-crushing conclusion that’s sure to leave viewers speechless. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025 In Zubieta, Real Sociedad has one of the best academies in Spain and may unearth a replacement for Zubimendi, with bright sparks like Beñat Turrientes already coming through. Henry Flynn, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 Their reporting not only unveiled the truth but unearthed a personal narrative. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for unearth 

Thesaurus Entries Near unearth

Cite this Entry

“Unearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unearth. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unearth

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