unfolded; unfolding; unfolds
1
2
: to open to the view : reveal
especially
: to make clear by gradual disclosure and often by recital
unfolded his story to me
3
: to open out gradually to the view or understanding : become known
a panorama unfolds before their eyes
plural -s
1
: the act or process of unfolding : development, evolution
during the story's unfoldment the character grows—
Saturday Evening Post
Saturday Evening Posthelp those who are seeking spiritual unfoldment—American Mercury
American Mercury2
: full manifestation or realization
the journey of the soul to its final unfoldment—M. L. Bach
M. L. BachExamples of unfold in a Sentence
Verb
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
Dennis Romero, NBC news, 9 June 2026
National attention and courthouse tensions The trial has unfolded amid demonstrations outside the Collin County courthouse.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
The nearest outbreaks are unfolding more than 1,500 miles away in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola was first detected, and neighboring Uganda.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
As Pink launched herself into the rafters of Radio City Music Hall to sing a Broadway medley at the Tonys, an even gayer event was unfolding 50 blocks downtown.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfold
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Verb
The wild pursuit unfolded Sunday when state police received reports about a car driven recklessly on Interstate 10 in Jefferson Parish, which is just west of New Orleans, state police said.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 9 June 2026
National attention and courthouse tensions The trial has unfolded amid demonstrations outside the Collin County courthouse.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
The nearest outbreaks are unfolding more than 1,500 miles away in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola was first detected, and neighboring Uganda.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
As Pink launched herself into the rafters of Radio City Music Hall to sing a Broadway medley at the Tonys, an even gayer event was unfolding 50 blocks downtown.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfold
Cite this Entry
“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfold. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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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