decrypt

1 of 2

verb

de·​crypt (ˌ)dē-ˈkript How to pronounce decrypt (audio)
decrypted; decrypting; decrypts
Synonyms of decryptnext

transitive verb

: decode sense 1a
decryption
(ˌ)dē-ˈkrip-shən How to pronounce decrypt (audio)
noun

decryption

2 of 2

noun

de·​cryp·​tion -pshən How to pronounce decryption (audio)
plural -s
1
: the act or process of decrypting
2
: the result of decrypting

Synonyms of decrypt

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Verb

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Examples of decrypt in a Sentence

Verb decrypting the Germans' code was one of the Allies' greatest triumphs
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
The app decrypts the file and loads it into the appropriate editing program. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026 But that data still needs to be decrypted before cloud servers or virtual machines can perform any kind of computation on it. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026 One of the most consequential concepts in PQC is known as harvest now, decrypt later. — Kumar Mehta, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 That logic worked before harvest; now, decrypt later attacks existed. — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decrypt

Word History

Etymology

Verb

de- + -crypt (in cryptanalysis, cryptogram), perhaps after decipher

Noun

decrypt + -ion

First Known Use

Verb

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decrypt was in 1935

Rhymes for decrypt

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Browse Nearby Words

decry
decrypt
decryption
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decrypt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decrypt. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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