Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to unclassify

to unclassify

1 7.6
To take something out of a category so it is no longer in that group
  • verb
  • /ʌnˈklæsɪfaɪ/
translation icon : desclasificar
  • Don't unclassify that data without permission!

Examples

  • The government decided to unclassify several old documents for public access.

  • After the review, the committee voted to unclassify the report and share it with the media.

  • The museum chose to unclassify the artifact, allowing it to be displayed in a general collection.

  • We need to unclassify this document immediately.

  • The government decided to unclassify the previously secret files to promote transparency.

  • They worked tirelessly to unclassify information that was essential for public awareness.

  • After years of debate, the agency will unclassify certain documents related to national security.

Synonyms

to declassify
vsto unclassify
  • Formal
33 6.1

Remove a secret label from documents so the public can see them

removes an item from any category without implying official status or public release

Antonyms

to classify
110 3.4

To put people or things into groups based on shared features

Surface Forms

unclassify infinitive
unclassified past
unclassified past participle
unclassifying present participle
unclassifies third person singular

Morphology

unclassify = classify (transparent) = un + class + ify

Formed by productive prefixation un- applied to the familiar verb 'classify', meaning 'to reverse or remove classification'.

Etymology

The word unclassify starts with un- meaning 'not' or 'reverse' and uses class meaning 'group' with -ify to make it a verb. So, to unclassify is to take something out of a group or remove its official label, which is why it means 'to remove something from a particular category'.