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
Directed by Spike Jonze — marking his first Super Bowl commercial in more than two decades — the ad stars actor, director and filmmaker Ben Stiller alongside multi-platinum artist Benson Boone as an retro European disco-pop duo whose partnership unravels in a mid-performance debacle.
—
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Thus, when Craig finally meets his Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), this version is not just his nemesis but his adopted brother, as the series continues unraveling the man behind the spy.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
But things soon began to unravel.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of why and how these gentle giants make such challenging journeys, their migrations remind us of how interconnected the ecosystems that surround us are.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unravel
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Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Thus, when Craig finally meets his Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), this version is not just his nemesis but his adopted brother, as the series continues unraveling the man behind the spy.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
But things soon began to unravel.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of why and how these gentle giants make such challenging journeys, their migrations remind us of how interconnected the ecosystems that surround us are.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 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 30 Jan. 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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