unfurl

verb

un·​furl ˌən-ˈfər(-ə)l How to pronounce unfurl (audio)
unfurled; unfurling; unfurls
Synonyms of unfurlnext

transitive verb

: to release from a furled state
unfurled the sails

intransitive verb

: to open out from or as if from a furled state : unfold
The flowers are starting to unfurl.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the fifth, Eldridge unfurled his first truly impactful swing of the season with his mom and aunt in attendance. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 May 2026 What otherwise might be viewed as an aspect of maturation or the spirit moving him also happens to be unfurling early in a season in which the Royals had stressed the need for their young-ish core to seize control of the team. Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026 How the choreography unfurled by the crowd shimmered in the night. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 May 2026 At thirty-eight, her womb was unfurling its first bloody fruit. ‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfurl

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfurl was in 1641

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfurl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfurl. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

unfurl

verb
un·​furl ˌən-ˈfər(-ə)l How to pronounce unfurl (audio)
: to loose from a furled state : open or spread : unfold
unfurl sails
unfurl a flag

More from Merriam-Webster on unfurl

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster