decipher
verb
de·ci·pher
dē-ˈsī-fər 
deciphered; deciphering; deciphers
1
: decode sense 1a
decipher a secret message
2
obsolete
: depict
with her majesty's name deciphered in gold letters—
Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift3
a
: to make out the meaning of despite indistinctness or obscurity
trying to decipher her handwriting
b
: to interpret the meaning of
decipher the poem
Examples of decipher in a Sentence
I couldn't decipher his sloppy handwriting.
we deciphered the hidden message to find out when we were supposed to meet
Recent Examples on the Web
Investigators are now trying to decipher where Perry got the ketamine and how so much of it got into his system.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 21 May 2024
The slick contraption could decipher a code so small that it could be printed on a pack of chewing gum.
—Kovie Biakolo, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for decipher 
Jack Dunn, Variety, 21 May 2024
The slick contraption could decipher a code so small that it could be printed on a pack of chewing gum.
—Kovie Biakolo, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for decipher
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decipher.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near decipher
Cite this Entry
“Decipher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decipher. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decipher
verb
de·ci·pher
di-ˈsī-fər
1
: to convert into understandable form
especially
: decode
2
: to make out the meaning of despite lack of clearness
decipher sloppy handwriting
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