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
This has been especially helpful for tracking medical bills and unraveling the way-too-frequent billing errors after a major medical event.
—
Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
But the match unraveled for Bay in the 65th minute.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
The stranger-than-fiction saga of the Murdaugh family — the Southern legal dynasty unraveled by double murder and massive financial fraud — is heading back to the courtroom for a high-stakes do-over.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
The old copy McCain bought in high school unraveled last year, marked by spills and wear.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unravel
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Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
But the match unraveled for Bay in the 65th minute.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
The stranger-than-fiction saga of the Murdaugh family — the Southern legal dynasty unraveled by double murder and massive financial fraud — is heading back to the courtroom for a high-stakes do-over.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
The old copy McCain bought in high school unraveled last year, marked by spills and wear.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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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