1
as in to fray
to separate the various strands of
it took us forever to unravel the jumbled mass of Christmas tree lights
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
unraveled the mystery
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unravel
Modeled after the 1066 Bayeux Tapestry at the Bayeux Museum in France, there are 86 panels at 240 square inches each, with part of the long beadwork tapestry unraveled onto a table at the Lowe.
—
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
Exhibits there tend to unravel like chapters of a book, with separate stories that come together into a compelling novel.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2025
According to a criminal complaint obtained by KSTP, the women at one point were caught on a deputy’s digital recorder, seemingly discussing their efforts to trick police, and their scheme quickly unraveled from there.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
While many of the President’s supporters are cheering him on, some legal experts see a constitutional crisis unfolding, as many of Trump’s moves raise urgent legal and constitutional questions that could take years to fully unravel.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
Exhibits there tend to unravel like chapters of a book, with separate stories that come together into a compelling novel.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2025
According to a criminal complaint obtained by KSTP, the women at one point were caught on a deputy’s digital recorder, seemingly discussing their efforts to trick police, and their scheme quickly unraveled from there.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
While many of the President’s supporters are cheering him on, some legal experts see a constitutional crisis unfolding, as many of Trump’s moves raise urgent legal and constitutional questions that could take years to fully unravel.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unravel
Verb
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The Rand Cai x Revolve Collection includes a 100 percent cotton jacket with a cropped fit, shoulder pads, a detachable hood and frayed detailing.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Feb. 2025
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At stake is the security and trustworthiness of the largest and most important payments system in the world, one that was already fraying around the edges even before President Trump took office.—
Felix Salmon,
Axios,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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With his cozy storefront nestled in London’s Archangel Lane, Book offers his services to the local police, helping solve the most intricate cases.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2025
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Preparing For The Future AI can and will do many amazing things, but right now, adopting this technology shouldn’t be about chasing the flashiest capabilities or solving the most complex problems.—
Hunter Steele,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Scientists are still untangling how meal size and timing might affect health.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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Further research can help untangle the complex relationship between external stressors, media consumption and youth well-being, shedding light on how to best support adolescents during this formative stage of life.—
Yalda T. Uhls,
The Conversation,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In resolving antitrust claims, the settlement could spawn conflicts with state laws as well as with other federal laws, including Title IX, labor and employment laws.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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Zelenskyy did not respond to shouted questions from reporters asking him if a peace deal to resolve his nation’s war with Russia was now dead.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The ensuing book, a taut, enthralling hybrid of fact and fiction impossible to disentangle, situates itself firmly in the mess — in a host of contradictions and uncertainties.—
Emily Eakin,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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That changed in 2021 under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, as part of an effort to disentangle finances between the city and the district.—
Ikram Mohamed,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Your retinol questions, answered What exactly is retinol?—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
24 Feb. 2025
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Scientists say the treasure trove of data will answer fundamental questions that can only be addressed by examining the universe from a broad, all-encompassing perspective.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Twist hair onto the barrel, holding for a few seconds near the root, and then untwist.—
Claire Sullivan,
WWD,
3 Sep. 2019
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In rare cases, a volvulus can partially resolve on its own if the twist or obstruction is not severe and the intestine untwists spontaneously.—
Sarah Jividen,
Health,
22 Sep. 2024
Verb
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What’s more, giving yourself space to rest and introspect could help you unsnarl a problem that’s been weighing you down lately.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2022
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Supply chains have started to unsnarl, and commodity prices for oil and some grains have dipped after surging amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.—
Jeanna Smialek,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unravel. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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