was unsealed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was unsealed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something that was previously sealed or hidden is now made accessible or revealed, often in legal or official situations. Example: "The court documents were unsealed after the judge's ruling, allowing the public to access the information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Tuesday, the indictment was unsealed and she was arrested.

The New York Times

Last week, an indictment that formalized charges initially brought last July was unsealed.

The New York Times - Tech

The warrant was unsealed today, hours after Harding's meeting with authorities.

The Washington Post

A federal grand jury indicted Mr. Treffinger on Thursday, and the indictment was unsealed today.

The New York Times

It was unsealed yesterday in response to a motion made by The New York Times.

The New York Times

When the affidavit was unsealed Thursday, Clemens was not one of the players implicated by Grimsley.

The New York Times - Sports

The bizarre story was contained in a criminal complaint that was unsealed Tuesday in Federal District Court in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

The case was unsealed Wednesday, shortly before a press conference announcing the charges by U.S. deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein.

TechCrunch

That's according to a legal complaint filed by Opternative last month that was unsealed today as the lawsuit unfolds.

TechCrunch

The warrant was unsealed Wednesday after the FBI picked Clark up in Indonesia.

Vice

In the affidavit, which was unsealed Thursday, Grimsley did not name those players.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was unsealed" when referring to official documents or containers that were previously sealed for legal or security reasons. For example, "The indictment was unsealed in court."

Common error

Avoid using "was unseal" or "is unsealed" when the context clearly requires the past passive tense "was unsealed". Ensure the verb tense agrees with the time frame of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was unsealed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject (e.g., a document, an indictment) had a seal broken or removed. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was unsealed" commonly denotes the action of making something previously sealed or hidden accessible to the public. As supported by Ludwig AI, this passive verb phrase is grammatically correct and predominantly used in news and media to report on events such as the release of indictments or court documents. While synonyms like "was revealed" exist, "was unsealed" specifically emphasizes the removal of a seal, lending it a formal tone. When writing, consider the verb tense, ensuring it aligns with the context. Avoid using it in casual conversations, and keep in mind that this expression is mostly found in neutral or formal contexts. Top sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post frequently employ this term when presenting information to readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was revealed

Focuses on the act of making something known, rather than specifically removing a seal.

was made public

Highlights the dissemination of information to the general population.

was disclosed

Emphasizes the act of uncovering or revealing something previously hidden.

was unveiled

Suggests a formal or ceremonial revealing of something.

was released

Focuses on the act of freeing something from restriction or confinement.

was opened

A more literal alternative, focusing on the physical act of opening something.

was exposed

Implies the revelation of something previously concealed, often with negative connotations.

became accessible

Highlights the availability of something that was previously restricted.

was declassified

Specifically refers to the removal of classification from documents or information.

was deregulated

Referring to something regulated that now become free.

FAQs

How is "was unsealed" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "was unsealed" is commonly used to describe the moment official documents like indictments or reports become available to the public. For example, "The court documents was unsealed this morning."

What's the difference between "was unsealed" and "was revealed"?

"Was unsealed" specifically implies that something was previously sealed or hidden, whereas "was revealed" is more general and simply means that something became known or visible.

Can I use "was unsealed" in informal writing?

While "was unsealed" is grammatically correct, it's generally more suited to formal or official contexts. In informal writing, simpler alternatives like "was opened" or "was made public" may be more appropriate.

What are some synonyms for "was unsealed"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "was unsealed" include "was disclosed", "was made public", "was revealed", or "became accessible".