unravel

verb

un·​rav·​el ˌən-ˈra-vəl 

unraveled; unraveling; unravels

transitive verb

1

a

: to disengage or separate the threads of : disentangle

b

: to cause to come apart by or as if by separating the threads of

2

: to resolve the intricacy, complexity, or obscurity of : clear up

unravel a mystery

intransitive verb

: to become unraveled

Synonyms of unravel

• fray
• untangle
• disentangle
• untwist
• unsnarl
• undo
• unweave

Examples of unravel in a Sentence

Scientists are still unraveling the secrets of DNA.

Their plans unraveled when she lost her job.

His frequent absences from home caused his marriage to unravel.

I feel like my life is unraveling.

Recent Examples on the Web

But that version of events, reported by some news outlets, began unraveling when bystander videos contradicted accounts painting the immigrant as a villain, the officers as victims. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Over the course of the past week, the cast of the Hulu reality series has began to unravel on social media after Taylor Frankie Paul severed herself from her former friends and MomTok community. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Now Stearns must try to unravel his team again, only this time as a lockout looms, adding a unique element to this year’s deadline. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Professor Quatermass and his team are left struggling to unravel the mystery of what happened to the crew. — William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for unravel

• caval
• cavil
• gavel
• gravel
• travel

Kids Definition

unravel

verb

un·​rav·​el ˌən-ˈrav-əl 

ˈən-

1

: to separate the threads of : disentangle

unravel a snarl

2

: solve

unravel a mystery

3

: to become unraveled