declassify

American  

[dee-klas-uh-fahy] / diˈklæs əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

declassified, declassifying

1. to remove the classification from (information, a document, etc.) that restricts access in terms of secrecy, confidentiality, etc.

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declassify British  

/ diːˈklæsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to release (a document or information) from the security list

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Other Word Forms

• declassifiable adjective
• declassification noun

Etymology

Origin of declassify

First recorded in 1860–65; de- + classify

Example Sentences

Drawing on recently declassified information, DiNanno hardened those allegations and offered some new details.

From The Wall Street Journal

“When the Iceworm documents were declassified in 1996, they caused tension and unease because they suggested the U.S. had explored major military plans in Greenland without informing Denmark,” Nielsen said.

From Los Angeles Times

Twenty images, many of which are too graphic to show, were published as part of a declassified FBI report into Epstein's death in custody, as well as a post-mortem and internal prison documents.

From BBC

Newly declassified papers show officials refused to release details of a conversation between Blair and French president Jacques Chirac following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in Paris in 1997.

From BBC

Wilson has also submitted a proposal that calls for the board to immediately declassify, so that all directors are elected annually by shareholders.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• publicize