as in expanding
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area
after the protestors had unfurled their banner, it stretched from one side of the visitors' gallery to the other
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Recent Examples of unfurling
Poems about buds unfurling in the spring, poems about music, poems about all the work there is to be done.
—
Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Tehran has responded by unfurling a four-story poster in the capital’s Enghelab – or Revolution – Square threatening the destruction of an American aircraft carrier.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
The 12-hour time difference didn’t stop him from diving headfirst into the moment, jumping on the bed, playfully unfurling the pieces and directing camera cuts.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Since then, changes have started unfurling at the entertainment and retail center.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 19 Jan. 2026
Hardly out of her teens, Anna Christopherson is a Swedish immigrant, brought by her mother to Minnesota as a young child while her father, Chris (Brian d’Arcy James, unfurling in the role as if it were written for him), was constantly away at sea.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
The source of her excitement was the slip of paper that Shaquille O’Neal was unfurling ahead on a panel of television screens, signifying arguably the most-favorable draw for the Americans.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2025
There is barely time for introductions before the women at Inaash Association are proudly unfurling their work for me.
—Amelia Dhuga, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Focusing on Harlem in New York City, Checker tracks the role of public green spaces in New York’s social reform and urban renewal eras from the nineteenth century to the present, unfurling a history of contestation regarding public spaces including Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park.
—JSTOR Daily, 14 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Tehran has responded by unfurling a four-story poster in the capital’s Enghelab – or Revolution – Square threatening the destruction of an American aircraft carrier.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
The 12-hour time difference didn’t stop him from diving headfirst into the moment, jumping on the bed, playfully unfurling the pieces and directing camera cuts.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Since then, changes have started unfurling at the entertainment and retail center.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 19 Jan. 2026
Hardly out of her teens, Anna Christopherson is a Swedish immigrant, brought by her mother to Minnesota as a young child while her father, Chris (Brian d’Arcy James, unfurling in the role as if it were written for him), was constantly away at sea.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
The source of her excitement was the slip of paper that Shaquille O’Neal was unfurling ahead on a panel of television screens, signifying arguably the most-favorable draw for the Americans.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2025
There is barely time for introductions before the women at Inaash Association are proudly unfurling their work for me.
—Amelia Dhuga, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Focusing on Harlem in New York City, Checker tracks the role of public green spaces in New York’s social reform and urban renewal eras from the nineteenth century to the present, unfurling a history of contestation regarding public spaces including Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park.
—JSTOR Daily, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfurling
Verb
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Future versions are projected to extend driving range to around 310–372 miles (500–600 kilometers), expanding suitability beyond short-range applications.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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Bill Gates named in Epstein files Documents released from the Epstein files indicate that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after Epstein's prison term to discuss expanding the Microsoft founder's philanthropic efforts.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Democrats in Congress are also demanding that immigration agents stop wearing masks as a condition for extending Department of Homeland Security funding.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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Back then, the district would hire teachers in the first semester and wait to see how students moved around before extending their contracts to a full year.—
Carley Lanich,
IndyStar,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Soon after, in Frisco, a booming D-FW city with a large South Asian population, the unfolding H-1B changes also spurred a broader, contentious debate about diversity, population growth and patriotism, The News reported.—
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
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But the changes are also unfolding against a backdrop of mass layoffs from both firms, and across the broader economy.—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As a first step of the project, De Giglio wanted to bring back the authentic barber experience, opening the Barberia of Eredi Zucca barber shop in Milan with a full range of products encompassing grooming, hair care, body care, skin care, tools and accessories.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Shares fell almost 4% before the opening bell.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfurling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfurling. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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