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
Her life was tragically cut short in 2021 when she and Paul were fatally shot on the Murdaugh family’s rural property — an event that ultimately unraveled the powerful family legacy.
—
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
And for those who think that some threads from the first two seasons have been tied up early in season three, Cahn teases that those ties may unravel yet again.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2025
After a decent start to the 2024-25 campaign under Postecoglou, things unravelled after the October international break.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Based on reporting by Mandy Matney, the series unravels the painful and avoidable events that led Alex to murder his wife, Maggie (Patricia Arquette), and youngest son, Paul (Johnny Berchtold, in a heart-wrenching turn).
—Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
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Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
And for those who think that some threads from the first two seasons have been tied up early in season three, Cahn teases that those ties may unravel yet again.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2025
After a decent start to the 2024-25 campaign under Postecoglou, things unravelled after the October international break.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Based on reporting by Mandy Matney, the series unravels the painful and avoidable events that led Alex to murder his wife, Maggie (Patricia Arquette), and youngest son, Paul (Johnny Berchtold, in a heart-wrenching turn).
—Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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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