unravel
verb
un·rav·el
ˌən-ˈra-vəl 
unraveled; unraveling; unravels
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
: to become unraveled
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 on the Web
As Forbes reported, this seems to be a result of the relationship between Must and President Donald Trump appearing to unravel, with each attacking the other.
—
Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
But the claim started to unravel as investigators talked to Morales Reyes, who doesn’t speak English fluently, and obtained a handwriting sample from him that was different from the handwriting in the letters, according to court documents.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Inside the Senate, Johnson’s broader strategy—pushing through House priorities quickly and with minimal changes—is beginning to unravel.
—Nik Popli, Time, 4 June 2025
Learn more about the Baghdadi Jews in Kolkata on this week's episode of Lost Cultures: Living Legacies to unravel it all.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
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Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
But the claim started to unravel as investigators talked to Morales Reyes, who doesn’t speak English fluently, and obtained a handwriting sample from him that was different from the handwriting in the letters, according to court documents.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Inside the Senate, Johnson’s broader strategy—pushing through House priorities quickly and with minimal changes—is beginning to unravel.
—Nik Popli, Time, 4 June 2025
Learn more about the Baghdadi Jews in Kolkata on this week's episode of Lost Cultures: Living Legacies to unravel it all.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unravel
verb
un·rav·el
ˌən-ˈrav-əl
ˈən-
1
: to separate the threads of : disentangle
unravel a snarl
2
: solve
unravel a mystery
3
: to become unraveled
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