unravel
verb
un·rav·el
ˌən-ˈra-vəl 
unraveled; unraveling; unravels
1
a
: to disengage or separate the threads of : disentangle
b
: to cause to come apart by or as if by separating the threads of
2
: to resolve the intricacy, complexity, or obscurity of : clear up
unravel a mystery
: to become unraveled
Synonyms
Examples of unravel in a Sentence
Scientists are still unraveling the secrets of DNA.
Their plans unraveled when she lost her job.
His frequent absences from home caused his marriage to unravel.
I feel like my life is unraveling.
Recent Examples on the Web
But Forbes reported that unraveling TikTok from ByteDance will be all but impossible, and more recently, found that if TikTok is banned, Americans’ data could flow back to China.
—
Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
The guess here is that this will all unravel much faster than anyone currently thinks, leaving the country, and its new government, adrift and voters counting the days to the midterm elections.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021) chronicles the chaotic Christmas Eve events that unravel when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the flock inadvertently leads to Timmy (voiced by Justin Fletcher) going missing.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
We’re also whisked back in time to Sal’s mom Misbah’s past in Pakistan, unraveling the events that led her to Juniper, California.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unravel 
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.
Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
The guess here is that this will all unravel much faster than anyone currently thinks, leaving the country, and its new government, adrift and voters counting the days to the midterm elections.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021) chronicles the chaotic Christmas Eve events that unravel when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the flock inadvertently leads to Timmy (voiced by Justin Fletcher) going missing.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
We’re also whisked back in time to Sal’s mom Misbah’s past in Pakistan, unraveling the events that led her to Juniper, California.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unravel
Dictionary Entries Near unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unravel
verb
un·rav·el
ˌən-ˈrav-əl
ˈən-
1
: to separate the threads of : disentangle
unravel a snarl
2
: solve
unravel a mystery
3
: to become unraveled
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share