unpack

verb

un·​pack ˌən-ˈpak How to pronounce unpack (audio)
unpacked; unpacking; unpacks
Synonyms of unpacknext

transitive verb

1
a
: to remove the contents of
unpack a suitcase
b
: unburden, reveal
… must … unpack my heart with words …—William Shakespeare
2
: to remove or undo from packing or a container
unpacked his gear
3
: to analyze the nature of by examining in detail : explicate
unpack a concept
4
: decompress sense 2
unpack a compressed file

intransitive verb

: to engage in unpacking a container
unpacker noun

Synonyms of unpack

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Examples of unpack in a Sentence

It's been a year since I moved here and I still haven't unpacked all of my books. I unpacked my suitcase as soon as I arrived home. By the time we got to the hotel, I was too tired to unpack. She's good at unpacking complex concepts.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Let’s unpack what the Sabres have done. — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 25 June 2026 Yet even after hours together, there was still so much left to learn and unpack. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026 Why didn’t Thomas unpack the bivouac bag from her backpack, the thermal blanket? — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 And the recognition that is born from taking the time to share and unpack and just see each other in your grief is the thing that actually transforms and transmutes. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unpack

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unpack was in the 15th century

Rhymes for unpack

See All Rhymes for unpack

Browse Nearby Words

unpacific
unpack
unpadded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

unpack

verb
un·​pack ˌən-ˈpak How to pronounce unpack (audio)
ˈən-
1
: to separate and remove things packed
got home and unpacked
2
: to open and remove the contents of
unpack a trunk

More from Merriam-Webster on unpack

Nglish: Translation of unpack for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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