unravel

verb

un·​rav·​el ˌən-ˈra-vəl 

unraveled; unraveling; unravels

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to become unraveled

Synonyms of unravel

• fray
• untangle
• disentangle
• untwist
• unsnarl
• undo
• unweave

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

But this time Holmes unraveled against the Diamondbacks — notably a National League playoff contender — and didn’t make it through the fourth inning. — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Alex Cooper seems intent on unraveling some of the current relationships that have helped underpin her production company, Unwell. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026

After the first batter of the inning reached on a single, Prielipp recorded a pair of outs before the inning unraveled. — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026

Agatha All Along gave us a new Billy Maximoff, whose soul took over the dying body of another teen as Wanda’s spell unraveled at the end of WandaVision. — ArsTechnica, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for unravel

• caval
• cavil
• gavel
• gravel
• travel

Kids 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