unseal

American  

[uhn-seel] / ʌnˈsil /

verb (used with object)

1. to break or remove the seal of; open, as something sealed or firmly closed.

   to unseal a letter; to unseal a tomb.

2. to free from constraint, as a person's thought, speech, or behavior.

   Their friendship unsealed her vivacity.

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unseal British  

/ ʌnˈsiːl /

verb

1. to remove or break the seal of

2. to reveal or free (something concealed or closed as if sealed)

   to unseal one's lips

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Other Word Forms

• unsealable adjective

Etymology

Origin of unseal

1375–1425; late Middle English unselen; un- ², seal ¹

Example Sentences

It also seeks to unseal the FBI's affidavit used to obtain the warrant from a federal magistrate judge.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

The lawsuit’s particulars had been confidential until last week, when the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, an anti-monopoly advocacy group, won its motion to unseal much of the redacted portions of the complaint.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

US District Judge Rodney Smith granted the government's expedited motion to unseal the typically secret grand jury transcripts and modify a protective order that previously barred the release of the materials.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

In order to unseal the Epstein documents, Congress was waiting for one last signature to put the matter to a vote.

From Slate • Nov. 13, 2025

First he needed to unseal with the wheel, then he needed to yank the handle.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi