Synonyms of unfold

unfold

verb

ˌən-ˈfōld 

1

as in to expand

to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area

carefully unfold that antique map so that it doesn't tear

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expand
• extend
• open
• unfurl
• spread (out)
• stretch (out)
• outspread
• flare (out)
• fan (out)
• outstretch
• overspread

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• close
• contract
• fold
• reduce
• compact
• compress
• condense

2

as in to evolve

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

• evolve
• grow
• progress
• develop
• proceed
• elaborate
• emerge
• mature
• march
• get along
• get on
• blossom
• forge
• ripen
• advance
• fare
• materialize
• play out

3

as in to bloom

to produce flowers

the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bloom
• flower
• blossom
• burgeon
• leave
• effloresce
• blow
• leaf
• bud
• open

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fade
• wilt
• wither
• die
• dry up
• expire
• shrivel
• perish
• drop

4

as in to appear

to come into view

the majestic landscape unfolded before us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appear
• show
• come
• arrive
• loom
• rise
• happen
• materialize
• reappear
• emerge
• come out
• show up
• turn up
• erupt
• occur
• arise
• surface
• resurface
• blossom
• bulk
• dawn
• break out
• shoot (up)
• issue
• spring (up)
• bob (up)
• crop (up)
• break
• debut
• outcrop
• rematerialize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disappear
• vanish
• evaporate
• dissolve
• fade
• go (away)
• clear
• melt (away)
• leave
• evanesce
• depart
• withdraw
• retire

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unfold

Her search for the soirée unfolds through a series of increasingly unruly hotel encounters, with The Scene Bag, The Tote Bag and the winter 2026 collection pulled into the plot along the way. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

As Mike teams up with a few pals, a police officer and an events organizer, a funny and remarkably optimistic story of small-town resistance unfolds. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Record flooding has unfolded along the Little Colorado River near Winslow, Arizona, and the Gila River near Solomon, Arizona. — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Detectives are continuing to process the scene on Jetty Road and determine what unfolded, Rosas said. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026