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.
Witness the most monstrous of monster transformations, one that cemented Rick Baker’s legacy and earned him his first Academy Award, unfurl on the big screen before your very eyes. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026 Trees that bloom early, such as magnolias, may unfurl their buds too soon as a result; when cold temperatures return, frost can kill those buds, robbing you of their flowers. David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 2026 Then, after the 2020 race cancellation debacle as the COVID-19 pandemic unfurled, Bahrain took over in that slot. Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 Between their melodies, inevitable as a heart attack, the four New York musicians carve out room for the unexpected to unfurl. Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 6 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Unfurl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfurl. Accessed 18 Mar. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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