uncover

verb

un·​cov·​er ən-ˈkə-vər How to pronounce uncover (audio)
uncovered; uncovering; uncovers
Synonyms of uncovernext

transitive verb

1
: to make known : bring to light : disclose, reveal
uncover the truth
2
: to expose to view by removing some covering
3
a
: to take the cover from
b
: to remove the hat from
uncovered his head
4
: to deprive of protection

intransitive verb

1
: to remove a cover or covering
2
: to take off the hat as a token of respect

Synonyms of uncover

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Examples of uncover in a Sentence

Police uncovered a criminal plot. Archaeologists uncovered the ruins of an ancient city.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The preacher was arrested in 2023 after police received a tip-off, and weeks later authorities began uncovering bodies in shallow graves in the Shakahola Forest near the coast in southeastern Kenya. — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 That same year one of the scientists who first uncovered the existence of GRBs, Ray Klebesadel of the clandestine Los Alamos National Laboratory, gave a talk at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Coaching questions encourage critical thinking and can uncover flawed assumptions, blind spots and judgment calls that AI may miss. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 That is followed by one focused on exploring conventional notions of beauty by uncovering the unexpected draw of unpleasant scents with Naïla Hamayed, Givaudan’s fragrance evaluator. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncover

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncover was in the 14th century

Rhymes for uncover

See All Rhymes for uncover

Browse Nearby Words

uncovenanted
uncover
uncovered
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Cite this Entry

“Uncover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncover. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

uncover

verb
un·​cov·​er ˌən-ˈkəv-ər How to pronounce uncover (audio)
1
: to make known : disclose, reveal
uncover a plot
2
: to expose to view by removing some covering
uncover the ruins of an ancient city
3
a
: to take the cover from
uncover the box
b
: to remove the hat from
c
: to take off one's hat as a sign of respect
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