UNFOLD Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

unfold

verb

ˌən-ˈfōld

Definition of unfold

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to bloom

to produce flowers the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to appear

to come into view the majestic landscape unfolded before us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 President Richard Nixon, who maintained a winter White House complex there, spent a lot of time in Key Biscayne as the Watergate scandal unfolded. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026 Evers stressed this is a complex investigation that will take time to unfold. — Laura Fay, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 The mapping sessions unfolded over time and in settings outside the immediate control of employers. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026 Today's eclipse will unfold over roughly 96 minutes as the moon's shadow races across Greenland, Iceland and Spain. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfold

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold

Verb

Investors have increasingly scrutinized the chipmaker’s expanding financial ties with major AI customers.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
New business models such as Walmart supercenters, Costco warehouse clubs and Trader Joe’s specialty stores expanded the abundance further.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

Our business continues to evolve rapidly, and the best projects rarely follow a conventional path.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
As Peacock continues to test and evolve the program, NBCU said, additional rewards are expected to be added over time, including Universal Parks perks and experiences, NBCU content previews and early access to NBCU live events.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of evolve

Verb

By July and August, the mountainsides have turned green, wildflowers bloom across the alpine tundra, and Skagway is at its busiest as the cruise season reaches its peak.

— Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
Check out the garden’s iris tracker to see when those purple and white beauties are blooming (usually late June).

— The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of bloom

Verb

Mathers was set to appear for sentencing on Thursday for the February case and a probable cause conference in the May case.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
But those concerns didn’t stop groups of Catholics from joining a recent joyous pilgrimage on Mount Tabor, where the Gospels say Jesus appeared transfigured alongside the Jewish prophets Moses and Elijah.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of appear

Verb

While the reform and opening-up era brought some efforts to distinguish the roles of the party and the state, Xi has extended the party’s supremacy across all areas of society.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
The nomination was historic and was a record-extending 11th consecutive nomination.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of extend

Verb

At the same time, consumer research shows there’s growing enthusiasm — especially among Gen Z — for affiliating with wellness and longevity-oriented brands.

— Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026
But the stronger signal is commercial—Jurin has grown almost entirely on inbound interest, having stopped cold outreach in late 2024.

— Jurin AI Contributor, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of grow

Verb

Striking arrangements of fruit trees and flowering trees are promised for a space that borders the Inhotim Private Natural Heritage Reserve and the Paz Environmental Protection Area.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Plants flower on both old and new wood, producing two flushes of blooms for lasting color.

— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of flower

Verb

The odds of a rate increase have ticked lower since last week, however, when a lackluster jobs report showed the labor market had shifted into reverse.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Aside from the team information, shown below is each game’s rating, the probability of the favorite winning, the median score for each team and the median margin of victory for the favorite.

— Loren Maxwell, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of show

Browse Nearby Words

unfocused

unfold

unfolded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfold. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unfold

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on unfold

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

balmy

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes