unravel
verb
un·rav·el
ˌən-ˈra-vəl 
unraveled; unraveling; unravels
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
: to become unraveled
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
The group relocated and slowly unraveled; Richards finally walked away in 1999.
—
Jp Mangalindan, Time, 1 June 2026
The narrative unravels a web of dark, intersecting secrets within a residential building, catalyzed by the mysterious disappearance of a young boy on the winter solstice.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 June 2026
Ray Ferraro had one of the best views of this dream season unraveling for the Colorado Avalanche.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Anti-Semitism is built on conspiracies and contradictions that take time for an observer to unravel.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unravel
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Jp Mangalindan, Time, 1 June 2026
The narrative unravels a web of dark, intersecting secrets within a residential building, catalyzed by the mysterious disappearance of a young boy on the winter solstice.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 June 2026
Ray Ferraro had one of the best views of this dream season unraveling for the Colorado Avalanche.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Anti-Semitism is built on conspiracies and contradictions that take time for an observer to unravel.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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