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
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
Monday morning, after heart-wrenching testimony from the victim who four years later still walks with the aide of a cane, the agreement unraveled.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2025
The story follows a musician plagued by insomnia who is pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
As the raids unraveled, GISBH restaurants, grocery stores and laundromats were closed, blinds drawn, logos stripped off the walls and social media accounts shut down.
—Teele Rebane, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unravel 
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Nik Popli, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
Monday morning, after heart-wrenching testimony from the victim who four years later still walks with the aide of a cane, the agreement unraveled.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2025
The story follows a musician plagued by insomnia who is pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
As the raids unraveled, GISBH restaurants, grocery stores and laundromats were closed, blinds drawn, logos stripped off the walls and social media accounts shut down.
—Teele Rebane, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
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 10 Feb. 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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