unfurl

verb

un·​furl ˌən-ˈfər(-ə)l 

unfurled; unfurling; unfurls

transitive verb

: to release from a furled state

intransitive verb

: to open out from or as if from a furled state : unfold

Synonyms

• expand
• extend
• fan (out)
• flare (out)
• open
• outspread
• outstretch
• spread (out)
• stretch (out)
• unfold

Examples of unfurl in a Sentence

after the protestors had unfurled their banner, it stretched from one side of the visitors' gallery to the other

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, from the opening lines, from the very names—John and Jane—there is a sense of a universal story being unfurled, a fable. —Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024

But the series also proudly wears its relationship to the parent show, most notably with Keeley Hawes’ scientist, Kira Manning, the daughter of Sarah Manning, around whom so much drama unfurled on the OG. —Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 30 June 2024

The other unfurls big sails and tracks the location of the Sun in the sky to keep them at the optimal angle. —New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2024

These luscious lime leaves are one of the rarer hybrids, which occasionally also unfurl variegated fronds. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

unfurl

verb

un·​furl ˌən-ˈfər(-ə)l 

: to loose from a furled state : open or spread : unfold

unfurl sails

unfurl a flag