UNEARTH Synonyms: 7 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

unearth

verb

ˌən-ˈərth

Definition of unearth next

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

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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 The discovery has also unearthed a brand-new scientific puzzle involving chirality, or handedness. —

Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026 Archaeologists unearthed Ashurbanipal’s palace at Nineveh in the 19th century. —

Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026 Old albums were unearthed, bootlegged, and reissued. —

Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026 There’s also an accompanying book that features must-read liner notes by Sedano (whose efforts to unearth, restore, and promote S-classification films have been beyond heroic), Shelagh Rowan-Legg, and other noteworthy film historians. —

Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unearth

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unearth

exhume

Verb

In 2007, the sheriff’s department re-examined the case and exhumed Summerfield Jane Doe’s body.

— Audrey Abrahams, NBC news, 1 Feb. 2026
First dozens, then hundreds and eventually more than 1,500 remains were exhumed and re-interred at the park alongside the spot.

— Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026

Definition of exhume

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uneager

unearth

unearthed

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“Unearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unearth. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of unearth

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