decrypt
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to decode (a message) with or without previous knowledge of its key
-
to make intelligible (a television or other signal) that has been deliberately distorted for transmission
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of decrypt
First recorded in 1935–40; de- + crypt(ogram)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, threat actors are intercepting and storing massive volumes of encrypted data, which they intend to decode as soon as more mature quantum technology becomes available.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
In this case, only the camera owner has the key to decrypt the recordings.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026
It then sends the response back to the VPN server, which encrypts and sends it back to you for your device to decrypt.
From Salon • Nov. 26, 2025
"It's called harvest now, decrypt later," says Prof Alan Woodward, a cybersecurity expert from Surrey University.
From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025
At first, it took Elizebeth eight hours or more to decrypt a simple text.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
