unsheathe
Americanverb (used with object)
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unsheathes,
present (3rd person singular)
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unsheathed,
past participle, past
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unsheathing
present participle
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to draw from a sheath, as a sword, knife, or the like.
-
to bring or put forth from a covering, threateningly or otherwise.
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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unsheathesimple
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unsheathessimple
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have unsheathedperfect
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has unsheathedperfect
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am unsheathingprogressive
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are unsheathingprogressive
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is unsheathingprogressive
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have been unsheathingperfect progressive
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has been unsheathingperfect progressive
Past
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unsheathedsimple
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had unsheathedperfect
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was unsheathingprogressive
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were unsheathingprogressive
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had been unsheathingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of unsheathe
1325–75; Middle English unshethen to dislodge; see un- 2, sheathe
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.
See Examples For:
“Everybody has the sword and we all have the ability to unsheathe Excalibur now,” said Johnston, 40, who used AI to code an app that helps people get the most out of credit card benefits.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
Unveiled the same day the United Nations warned of a “code red for humanity” because of rapid climate heating, the fiscal plan would unsheathe a vast effort to move the U.S. toward clean energy.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 9, 2021
It is basic human instinct to want to unsheathe the sword once things have swung in our favor, now that the world can hear us, see us and pay attention to us.
From New York Times ● Jan. 3, 2019
Hardly a day passes that an eager Torontonian doesn’t descend upon him, unsheathe an iPhone, and snap a quick selfie.
From The Guardian ● May 1, 2016
The clawed hands still grasped the jeweled hilt of a sword, as if ready to unsheathe it.
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
“Appelbaum does have an ax to grind, but unsheathes it only occasionally, usually to offer cutting one-sentence dismissals of particularly dubious claims by economists,” Justin Fox writes in his admiring review.
From New York Times ● Nov. 7, 2019
Jaime, remembering that any knight—him, say—can make another knight, unsheathes his sword and asks Brienne to kneel.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 22, 2019
The ritual begins when Justin Turner unsheathes his 31.5-ounce Rawlings bat from the rack and strides through the dugout.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2016
Although the Jedi master played by Samuel L Jackson insists that “We are peacekeepers, not soldiers”, he unsheathes his lightsaber to keep the airwaves open for the dissemination of American entertainment.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 22, 2015
Jack unsheathes a set of wooden chopsticks, breaking them apart with a clean snip.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
As I pull yet another stubby naked fork from the dishwasher, unsheathed from its housing by the sani-heat, I recognize the clock is ticking.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2025
In a flash, she springs into action, her muscles tensed and claws unsheathed.
From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2025
“I unsheathed the paper very carefully while still outside.”
From Washington Post ● Feb. 14, 2022
It was never adopted, in part because of concerns about much greater noise from the unsheathed fan.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 14, 2021
The tall girl knelt awkwardly, unsheathed Renly's longsword, and laid it at her feet.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Then UW diffused the drama — unsheathing a 12-play, 82-yard, six-minute and 20-second odyssey to upend Oregon.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 1, 2023
The first “Wakanda Forever” trailer hinted at the new Black Panther with a quick glance of a black gloved hand unsheathing its claws.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 10, 2022
Sophisticated about media, he carefully goes off the record before unsheathing any daggers.
From New York Times ● Apr. 3, 2017
You can transition back and forth between a gun and a shield by reaching over your shoulder, as if unsheathing a sword hung across your back.
From The Verge ● Mar. 10, 2016
"Take care of the horses," Bronn said, unsheathing the long dirk he wore at his hip.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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.
