Definition of unravel
transitive verb
1a : to disengage or separate the threads of : disentangleb : 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
From the M-W Editors
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
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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.
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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.
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Guards have kept her locked in, day and night, as her health has unraveled.
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Not all lives unravel into a blur of sippy cups forever.
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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.
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The scheme unraveled in April with the collapse of the Fyre Festival, which was advertised as a luxury getaway for moneyed millennials, who paid up to five figures for VIP packages.
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WASHINGTON — Senator Dean Heller’s biting denunciation of the Republican health care bill last week infuriated the White House and helped unravel his party’s attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act days before a vote was expected in the Senate.
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Velasquez was also killed during the incident, but investigators are still unraveling the circumstances surrounding his death, said Sgt.
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 Defined for English Language Learners
unravel
playDefinition of unravel for English Language Learners
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: to cause the separate threads of something to come apart
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: to find the correct explanation for (something that is difficult to understand)
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: to fail or begin to fail
UNRAVEL Defined for Kids
Learn More about unravel
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unravel Spanish Central: Translation of unravel Nglish: Translation of unravel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of unravel for Arabic speakers
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