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 blooming
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
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 unfolding
But conversations at the inaugural Association for Enterprise Opportunity State of Small Business Summit suggested something more complicated is unfolding.
—
Natalie Madeira Cofield, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
What’s happening in Fort Worth The Parker County purchase is unfolding while Black Mountain’s $10 billion data center project in southeast Fort Worth runs into steady community pushback.
—Emily Holshouser. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 May 2026
The scene both underscores the character’s profound reserves of sadness in heartbreaking fashion, unfolding with eloquent flashes of wit.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 19 May 2026
But a major shift is unfolding at the top of the market, as affluent women increasingly drive purchases, influence design priorities, and, in the process, redefine what luxury living looks like.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 May 2026
And the story's still unfolding.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The damage and acceptance that kind of internal contradiction can bring to a person over an extended period runs through every frame of Firstman’s film, and the result feels less like a conventional dramedy than a decade-long discovery unfolding in real time.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
Fittingly, the showdown is unfolding just outside Pennsylvania’s City of Brotherly Love.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
One of the pleasures of theater in the round is being able to glance across the stage and see how others are reacting to what is unfolding.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Natalie Madeira Cofield, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
What’s happening in Fort Worth The Parker County purchase is unfolding while Black Mountain’s $10 billion data center project in southeast Fort Worth runs into steady community pushback.
—Emily Holshouser. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 May 2026
The scene both underscores the character’s profound reserves of sadness in heartbreaking fashion, unfolding with eloquent flashes of wit.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 19 May 2026
But a major shift is unfolding at the top of the market, as affluent women increasingly drive purchases, influence design priorities, and, in the process, redefine what luxury living looks like.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 May 2026
And the story's still unfolding.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The damage and acceptance that kind of internal contradiction can bring to a person over an extended period runs through every frame of Firstman’s film, and the result feels less like a conventional dramedy than a decade-long discovery unfolding in real time.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
Fittingly, the showdown is unfolding just outside Pennsylvania’s City of Brotherly Love.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
One of the pleasures of theater in the round is being able to glance across the stage and see how others are reacting to what is unfolding.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
Verb
-
With revenue-sharing challenges mounting across college athletics — and some schools already cutting sports — expanding the playoff has become a potential financial lifeline.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
According to Abbott's office, the Texas Department of Public Safety is immediately expanding the Texas Repeat Offender Taskforce to the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin metropolitan areas.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
With globally evolving dining standards, Knife Edge reveals the stress, the pressure, the resilience needed to hold your nerve in the battle for greatness.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
-
Now, with the advent of the Internet and evolving consumer demands, customers can (and expect) access to their financial information via a mobile app, in real-time.—
Daniela Binatti,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
For a continuous bloom all summer, select a repeat-blooming variety such as 'Endless Summer' that will flower on both old and new growth.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
-
Artificial psychedelic imagery, from brightly colored paint mixed together to blooming black roses, also recur throughout.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Arena ads made up the vast majority of all gambling references in all of the games, appearing once every 11 seconds on average.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
-
The Rachofskys, for their part, are mainstays on the annual ARTnews Top 200 Collectors list, appearing on it each edition since 2002.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
His vision for opening software development to the masses turned his startup into a market leader in AI coding.—
Rebecca Fannin,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
Sources said a video posted to an online gore site allegedly shows the suspects approaching the center and then opening fire, with a person believed to be suspect Clark wearing camouflage fatigues and a plate carrier.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Whitaker began to send money through gift cards, with increments beginning at $80 but progressing to larger amounts such as $800, according to Miedecke.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
-
Nvidia will report earnings after Wall Street's closing bell on Wednesday, with investors focused on how the AI darling's infrastructure buildout is progressing.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Adored for its almost non-stop flowering, 'Rozanne' boasts showy violet-blue flowers, a unique color among hardy geraniums.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
-
Water perennials, shrubs, and trees for up to 3 years after planting, as well as flowering and fruiting plants.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The vote stems from the district’s broader layoff plan, which included nearly 568 full-time-equivalent classified positions — a measure showing staffing hours rather than the exact number of people affected.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
-
Throughout the festival, Cannes audiences have been showing their disapproval by booing the Canal+ logo at gala screenings.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
