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
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
When a series of murders begins in the area, her sister also turns up missing, throwing her headfirst into unraveling the crime spree.
—
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 16 June 2025
Durability Some towels are poorly made and unravel within a few months of being used.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Continue reading … -- POLITICS GOT ‘STRANGE’ – Trump reveals the 'surprising' moment his friendship with Musk began to unravel.
—FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
Leah’s inheritance becomes the inciting incident in a series of events that unravel her life: Her trip awakens a latent violence in her husband and an invigorating independent streak in her.
—Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
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Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 16 June 2025
Durability Some towels are poorly made and unravel within a few months of being used.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Continue reading … -- POLITICS GOT ‘STRANGE’ – Trump reveals the 'surprising' moment his friendship with Musk began to unravel.
—FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
Leah’s inheritance becomes the inciting incident in a series of events that unravel her life: Her trip awakens a latent violence in her husband and an invigorating independent streak in her.
—Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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
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