unravel

verb

un·​rav·​el ˌən-ˈra-vəl 

unraveled; unraveling; unravels

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

Synonyms of unravel

• fray
• untangle
• disentangle
• untwist
• unsnarl
• undo
• unweave

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

The veteran prosecutor ousted from the case of a Miami gang boss — which unraveled after allegations of prosecutorial misconduct — could face discipline by the Florida Bar. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026

The Senate bill was approved early Friday but quickly unraveled when House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected it. —Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026

And sometimes unravelling these correlations can be challenging. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026

However, that understanding appeared to unravel just months later. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for unravel

• caval
• cavil
• gavel
• gravel
• travel

Kids 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