unfolded; unfolding; unfolds
1
2
: to open to the view : reveal
especially
: to make clear by gradual disclosure and often by recital
3
: to open out gradually to the view or understanding : become known
a panorama unfolds before their eyes
Synonyms
Examples of unfold in a Sentence
The couch unfolds to form a bed.
We'll have more news as events unfold.
We watched the drama unfold on live television.
As the story unfolds, we learn that the boy became an orphan when he was one year old.
Recent Examples on the Web
The main action unfolds just days before President Kennedy’s murder shocked a nation out of its postwar comfort.
—
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Apr. 2024
But the farmers market clash -- which also unfolded in Saline -- had people on edge.
—Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 28 Apr. 2024
As the story unfolds and Amelia and Ruby begin to get to know TJ and his large family, there are lots of joyful, fun moments.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2024
Here’s a look at how the investigation continues to unfold.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024
Readers are rewarded with a fascinating deep dive into Japanese journalism and policing, all while an urgent procedural unfolds to locate a killer who may be related to a cold case that haunts the novel's protagonists.
—Vogue, 25 Apr. 2024
The storyline unfolds between the events of the second movie and the upcoming third film, scheduled for release in December.
—Kristina Behr, Parents, 23 Apr. 2024
Aside from not experiencing embarrassing roll calls at school, how else might our lives have unfolded?
—Montserrat Andrée Carty, Longreads, 23 Apr. 2024
The incident unfolded in the 7700 block of Southland Way in a residential neighborhood a few blocks south of Gerber Road in Sacramento County’s Vineyard neighborhood.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Apr. 2024
But the farmers market clash -- which also unfolded in Saline -- had people on edge.
—Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 28 Apr. 2024
As the story unfolds and Amelia and Ruby begin to get to know TJ and his large family, there are lots of joyful, fun moments.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2024
Here’s a look at how the investigation continues to unfold.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024
Readers are rewarded with a fascinating deep dive into Japanese journalism and policing, all while an urgent procedural unfolds to locate a killer who may be related to a cold case that haunts the novel's protagonists.
—Vogue, 25 Apr. 2024
The storyline unfolds between the events of the second movie and the upcoming third film, scheduled for release in December.
—Kristina Behr, Parents, 23 Apr. 2024
Aside from not experiencing embarrassing roll calls at school, how else might our lives have unfolded?
—Montserrat Andrée Carty, Longreads, 23 Apr. 2024
The incident unfolded in the 7700 block of Southland Way in a residential neighborhood a few blocks south of Gerber Road in Sacramento County’s Vineyard neighborhood.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unfold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unfold
Cite this Entry
“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfold. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unfold
verb
un·fold
ˌən-ˈfōld 
1
a
: to spread or cause to spread or straighten out from a folded position or arrangement
unfolded the map
b
: unwrap
3
: develop sense 1a
as the story unfolds
4
: to open out or cause to open out gradually to the view or understanding
new technology unfolds before us
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