unsee

[ uhn-see ]

verb (used with object)

, un·saw, un·seen, un·see·ing.

1. to remove (something seen) from one's memory or conscious awareness; to forget or ignore images or the like:

   It's a good tutorial for anyone who's ever published something and then found a mistake they can't unsee in it.

   He really wished he could unsee the violent images he had accidentally glimpsed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsee¹

First recorded in 1350–1400

Example Sentences

"Women and Gen Alpha girls have an awareness of systemic misogyny, of queer issues, of their value, in a way that would be literally unthinkable to me as a Gen X girlie. Once you've turned over the rock, and people have seen these systems of oppression, you cannot unsee them."

From Salon

The insight that Burana speaks of is painfully omnidirectional, and we can also never unsee what we now know about some of the people closest to us — or the agenda they're willing to support.

From Salon

Eiglarsh once against screeches about the “salacious” details from Daniels’ testimony, Colwin kiddingly “thanks” him for “getting that image in my head,” and John Roberts wonders if the poor jury will be able to “unsee” any of this.

From Slate

Eiglarsh once against screeches about the “salacious” details from Daniels’ testimony, Colwin kiddingly “thanks” him for “getting that image in my head,” and John Roberts wonders if the poor jury will be able to “unsee” any of this.

From Slate

Or an unpleasant sight you can’t unsee, like the new Apple ultrathin iPad ad.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dismiss from mind
• forget