1
as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area carefully unfold that antique map so that it doesn't tear

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to evolve
to gradually become clearer or more detailed as the situation unfolded, it became clear that more help would be needed the movie became more interesting once the mystery began to unfold

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3
as in to bloom
to produce flowers the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unfold The Process Here’s how the whole process unfolded, from intake to next steps. Dana Ingemann, Health, 17 Sep. 2025 As the week unfolds, Sabrina shows Ian Christmas in New York and the two start to fall for each other. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025 Nick Cannon is opening up about the deeper reasons behind his decision to father twelve children with six different women, revealing that unresolved trauma stemming from his relationship and divorce from music superstar Mariah Carey played a pivotal role in how his family life unfolded. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 16 Sep. 2025 As the final season unfolded, Belly goes back and forth with the brothers before ending her relationship with Jeremiah for good and moving to Paris to find herself. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold
Verb
  • Under the agreement, Cracker Barrel expanded its board from 10 to 11 members and appointed Jody Bilney, one of Biglari’s preferred nominees, as an independent director.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Among them are Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia's growing threat to NATO's eastern flank and the war in Gaza, where Israel's offensive on Gaza City is expanding as the two leaders meet.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Boomsma said any traits the ants have evolved are adaptations driven by natural selection, and creating fitter hybrid workers provided a competitive advantage, allowing Iberian harvester ants to extend their range vastly.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The artist better known to his international collectors as Móyò, has been evolving the character – a personal archetype, a spiritual sentinel, and a bridge between worlds – for over eight years, exploring his Yoruba ancestry and urban mythology.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In truth, crape myrtles can bloom in partial sun, even if flowering at their maximum potential will necessitate 6-8 hours a day of full sun exposure.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Industries sprouted and bloomed, inventions burgeoned, standards of living for masses always hit new heights.
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Videos from bystanders appeared to capture on person running across a rooftop of a nearby building on the campus, called the Losee Center, located around 140 yards from the stage were Kirk was speaking from.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The photo released shows what appears to be a man wearing a largely black outfit with an American flag on his shirt, a black cap, and black sunglasses.
    Connor Greene, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Most recent direct interpretation is Labubu creator Kasing Lung’s collaboration with LVMH’s luxury bag brand Moynat but bigger picture, luxury’s charm offensive extends from Glossier to Balenciaga—both of which transformed recent product launches into key-chain charm versions.
    Stephanie Hirschmiller, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses have a sportier look than the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses thanks to a wraparound design that extends its colorful lenses around a person's temples.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Their curiosity grew after the highest DNA match was found linked to a family line in Romania.
    Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • American craft beer, for example, has grown over the last 30 years to take nearly 15% of US beer sales by volume.
    Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That’s why planning for succession of bloom — choosing plants that flower at different times — is essential.
    Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Fall is the ideal time to plant easy-care spring-flowering perennials.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month, with key data Monday revealing factory output and consumption rising at their weakest pace for around a year.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025
  • That may explain why taking HRT in the years right around menopause—and in turn, avoiding the steep estrogen dropoff of this phase—was shown to lower dementia risk.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfold. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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