1
as in frays
to separate the various strands of
it took us forever to unravel the jumbled mass of Christmas tree lights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solves
to find an answer for through reasoning
unraveled the mystery
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 unravels
His first ever case unravels a globe-trotting conspiracy that changes his life forever.
—
Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
In a riveting story, published in this week’s issue, Ava Kofman unravels the mystery of Guojun and Silvia’s strange and troubling project.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The Night Of unravels the yarn with lurid details and lots of plot twists.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Finn Bennett unravels Prince Aerion's unique brand of Mad Targaryen on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Directed by Spike Jonze — marking his first Super Bowl commercial in more than two decades — the ad stars actor, director and filmmaker Ben Stiller alongside multi-platinum artist Benson Boone as an retro European disco-pop duo whose partnership unravels in a mid-performance debacle.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The law blocks schools from expanding sports programs for male athletes at the expense of women, but that protection completely unravels when male athletes simply transfer their physical advantages into women’s sports.
—Alanna Smith, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Cue the Mayhem Ball, the pop star’s eighth concert tour, where Lady Gaga rises from a sand pit populated with skeletons, scales up a dress the size of a multi-story apartment building, and unravels the longest gown train a bride could ever dream of.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
Gael García Bernal and Matthew Macfadyen co-star in a story that slowly unravels.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
In a riveting story, published in this week’s issue, Ava Kofman unravels the mystery of Guojun and Silvia’s strange and troubling project.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The Night Of unravels the yarn with lurid details and lots of plot twists.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Finn Bennett unravels Prince Aerion's unique brand of Mad Targaryen on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Directed by Spike Jonze — marking his first Super Bowl commercial in more than two decades — the ad stars actor, director and filmmaker Ben Stiller alongside multi-platinum artist Benson Boone as an retro European disco-pop duo whose partnership unravels in a mid-performance debacle.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The law blocks schools from expanding sports programs for male athletes at the expense of women, but that protection completely unravels when male athletes simply transfer their physical advantages into women’s sports.
—Alanna Smith, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Cue the Mayhem Ball, the pop star’s eighth concert tour, where Lady Gaga rises from a sand pit populated with skeletons, scales up a dress the size of a multi-story apartment building, and unravels the longest gown train a bride could ever dream of.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
Gael García Bernal and Matthew Macfadyen co-star in a story that slowly unravels.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unravels
Verb
-
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This Maison de Sabré bag charm also solves the problem of forgetting your AirTag at home, while adding a bit of style to your suitcase.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The Bioré® Paint & Peel Pimple Patch solves this problem with its innovative formula that goes on like a liquid spot treatment and peels off like a pimple patch.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If paying your debts will result in financial hardship, Priority may be able to delay payments until your situation resolves.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Discomfort that resolves quickly without altering movement or feeling cautionary can be a positive sign.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The film, without proving didactic, untangles the complications of finding appropriate care for someone with her cognitive disabilities, as Emily and Bob struggle with a healthcare system that isn’t set up to support people like her.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Gu, who often answers so quickly and comprehensively, for once struggled to find the words.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
In the wide-ranging chat below, creator and showrunner Shawn Ryan answers all of THR’s burning questions after the season three finale.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At just $6, the rich moisturizer hydrates and smooths pesky dry spots and crepey patches.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Sweeping slightly melts and smooths the ice, reducing friction so that the stone travels farther and curls less.—
Mark Billingsley,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Reversing the voltage undoes the process.—
Perri Thaler,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 Nov. 2025
-
The measure also gives judges the authority to order people with multiple drug charges into rehab and undoes some of the changes the state made a decade ago through Proposition 47.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unravels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unravels. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
