unravel

verb un·rav·el \ ˌən-ˈra-vəl \

Definition of unravel

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

:to become unraveled

See unravel defined for English-language learners

See unravel defined for kids

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 of unravel from the Web

The night unraveled quickly from there for the Sox and Petricka in a 6-1 loss at Dodger Stadium.

— colleen kane, chicagotribune.com, "White Sox relievers surrender 5 runs in 8th in 6-1 loss to Dodgers," 16 Aug. 2017
Game unravels The Reds trailed 2-1 with one out in the Cardinals' seventh inning, when Castillo buzzed left-handed hitter Kolten Wong with a 97-mph fastball.

— tom groeschen, Cincinnati.com, "Reds Recap: Bats go silent in 4-1 loss," 5 Aug. 2017
Years later, Fauna sets out to unravel the secrets of her past, an increasingly sinister journey which leads her to Hollywood gynecologist Dr. George Hodel, who was involved in the infamous Black Dahlia murder.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Wonder Woman Director Patty Jenkins Is Reuniting With Chris Pine," 27 July 2017
This special report will seek to unravel the causes of this irrational enmity, and to explore the contrasting internal dynamics in both countries that sustain it.

— The Economist, "Hissing cousinsWhy India and Pakistan hate each other," 22 July 2017
The Marlins (41-47) were one out away from a 4-3 victory when Ramos came unraveled, giving up a two-out single to Joc Pederson, a two-out walk to Yasmani Grandal and a two-out homer to Yasiel Puig.

— clark spencer, miamiherald, "Ramos unravels in nightmarish ninth inning as Dodgers rally past Marlins," 14 July 2017
Guards have kept her locked in, day and night, as her health has unraveled.

— the editors, National Review, "Liu Xiaobo, Leader of China, R.I.P.," 13 July 2017
Not all lives unravel into a blur of sippy cups forever.

— heather havrilesky, The Cut, "Ask Polly: I’m Terrified of Having Kids!," 12 July 2017
Remove the 108 stitches, peel back the two-piece cowhide cover, unravel the four layers of yarn and a rubber pill is revealed, inside of which is contained a sphere of cork.

— kirk kenney, sandiegouniontribune.com, "The ol' ball game: Fans at Petco Park have a ball when they get one," 2 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unravel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unravel

1603

unravel Synonyms

Synonyms

disentangle, ravel (out), unbraid, unlay, unsnarl, untangle, untwine, untwist, unweave

Antonyms

entangle, snarl, tangle

Related Words

fray, fret; smooth, straighten (out); uncoil, undo, unknot, unlace, unroll, unstring, unthread, untie, unwind

Near Antonyms

braid, knot, lace, plait, ply, splice, tie, wind

UNRAVEL Defined for English Language Learners

unravel

verb

Definition of unravel for English Language Learners

: to cause the separate threads of something to come apart
: to find the correct explanation for (something that is difficult to understand)
: to fail or begin to fail