1
as in expanding
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area
carefully unfold that antique map so that it doesn't tear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in evolving
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in flowering
to produce flowers
the rosebud unfolded literally overnight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in appearing
to come into view
the majestic landscape unfolded before us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfolding
The Washington Examiner attended a press conference held by Taiwanese Foreign Minister Chia-lung Lin on Thursday, where the head diplomat expounded upon the lessons learned from observing the violence unfolding in Eastern Europe.
—
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
The Season 3 finale of the sci-fi series delivers on that promise, unfolding with the solemn rhythm of a funeral dirge.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The abrupt loss of daily structure and social bonds created ripple effects that are still unfolding.
—Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Formula 1’s transformation into a cultural phenomenon is still unfolding, but for a sport that once felt closed off, particularly for Black and younger audiences, collaborations like this open the door for all.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
What’s unfolding is part protest, part game, part theater.
—Anmol Verma, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Lecornu, who was only appointed as France’s new prime minister on Tuesday after the unceremonious ousting of PM Francois Bayrou at the start of the week, faces an immediate challenge as a mass public protest is unfolding Wednesday.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
That means the season overall—which officially runs from June 1 to November 30—is unfolding to be about as strong as predicted—and has plenty potential risk remaining.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025
The focus on Red Crescent also keeps the film firmly on course; The Voice of Hind Rajab is not a film about either side of the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza but in the moral no-man’s land in between.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
The Season 3 finale of the sci-fi series delivers on that promise, unfolding with the solemn rhythm of a funeral dirge.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The abrupt loss of daily structure and social bonds created ripple effects that are still unfolding.
—Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Formula 1’s transformation into a cultural phenomenon is still unfolding, but for a sport that once felt closed off, particularly for Black and younger audiences, collaborations like this open the door for all.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
What’s unfolding is part protest, part game, part theater.
—Anmol Verma, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Lecornu, who was only appointed as France’s new prime minister on Tuesday after the unceremonious ousting of PM Francois Bayrou at the start of the week, faces an immediate challenge as a mass public protest is unfolding Wednesday.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
That means the season overall—which officially runs from June 1 to November 30—is unfolding to be about as strong as predicted—and has plenty potential risk remaining.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025
The focus on Red Crescent also keeps the film firmly on course; The Voice of Hind Rajab is not a film about either side of the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza but in the moral no-man’s land in between.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
Verb
-
Now the Icon Class family is expanding, with three equally hefty sister ships.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
An artisan pizzeria with South Beach roots is expanding across the state.—
Jason Dill,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The North Korean government has benefited from evolving surveillance technologies, while punishments have also become more severe, according to the report.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Today’s media landscape has grown increasingly partisan, with many news organizations evolving into advocacy platforms that cater to and reinforce the beliefs of like-minded audiences.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The most important time to prune lavender is right after flowering in summer, but timing for this varies because some types of lavender bloom earlier than others.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
-
If adding new focal point plants and a mix of fall-flowering annuals doesn’t fit your vision for the season, take your fall refresh in another direction and simplify your container schemes.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After appearing on the Pittsburgh Steelers' injury report prior to Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks, Alex Highsmith exited the first half with an ankle injury.—
Evan Bell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Powell recently hinted at the possibility of an interest rate cut, appearing to indicate greater concern for flagging employment growth than for rising prices.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Alongside this accountability gap, mercenaries are also opening major operational gaps.—
Alia Brahimi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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Carolina lost its season-opening contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a way that made the Panthers look unrecognizable from the one that ended 2024 on a tear.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Still the Yankees are seemingly in better position given how the starting pitching for the most part is performing and how Aaron Judge is progressing.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The two incidents meant that neither had a chance of making the top five and progressing to Monday’s final, prompting Van de Velde’s act of kindness.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mums need moisture to stay healthy and continue blooming.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
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This summer-blooming perennial can be divided in spring or fall, but since spring is so busy with many garden chores, why not do it this fall?—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Reporters noted that the robot stopped smoothly after the race, showing no signs of fatigue.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Camera app has been streamlined for simplicity, with just two options, Video and Photo, showing initially.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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