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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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3
as in to bloom
to produce flowers the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

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 unfold Here, in this unassuming spot, is where one of the greatest ever stories in European soccer unfolded this season. Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025 These come in the form of a story that runs through the film until its climax, unfolding in parallel. Damon Wise, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025 But only a few could have predicted the emotional win that unfolded by Sunday afternoon. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 Imagine a voyage that unfolds like a story, crafted with intention at every turn, each moment perfected to the smallest detail. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold
Verb
  • When a snowstorm blows up suddenly and socks in the entire area, Lester and Mike begin a search that soon expands with the aid of local neighbors and law enforcement.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The Functional Fabric Fair has also expanded its speaker programming to provide forward-thinking insights and solutions to current challenges.
    SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The tight end position has evolved significantly, but there’s still a little old-fashioned magic to it.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The court's ruling could influence how future AI laws evolve and how victims seek justice.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • What are commonly promoted as Dutch bulbs, for instance, especially those classic tulips and hyacinths, will only bloom this coming spring and then disappear forever.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Native, night-blooming plants attract nighttime pollinators, a yummy snack for a hungry bat.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Members of the committee from both political parties criticized Underly for choosing to accept an alumni award at Indiana University instead of appearing before the committee Thursday to answer questions about student safety for the public that have arisen because of the Capital Times reporting.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • But for consumers, higher wages on paper do not appear to have eased the sting of rising prices, according to several recent surveys.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This year, Spirit Halloween is extending over 20 contracts to support the expansion of Spirit Christmas, now entering its second year.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This would not have been the case had Wrexham’s longest winless start to an EFL season on home soil been extended to six games by Oxford on a night when the hosts played the final quarter of the match a man down following Callum Doyle’s red card.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The second photo was noticeably different from the first, instead showing a recent image of heavy machinery smoothing gravel where lush green grass once grew.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Subscription and licensing revenue grew 3 percent in the latest quarter to $493 million owing to growth in ViX’s premium tier and higher content licensing revenue.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Spring is ideal for planting flowering shrubs, perennials, and ornamental trees such as azaleas, hydrangeas, and dogwoods.
    William Jones, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Plants spend all of their energy on flowering, so dividing during bloom time can stress their root development.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • SACs produced from plastic waste showed excellent performance in breaking down diverse micropollutants in water and in boosting clean-energy technologies such as batteries and fuel cells.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Records show Wauwatosa police gave Lauren Spors a ride to South 27th Street and West Ramsey Avenue, a few blocks from her mother’s house, and dropped her off.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfold. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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