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
Mitchell turned it over twice more in the next two minutes, and everything quickly unraveled.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
JetBlue’s planned acquisition of Spirit Airlines was blocked by the Justice Department last year, while its partnership in the Northeast with American Airlines unraveled after the carriers lost an antitrust lawsuit in 2023.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
Inter Milan’s season is beginning to unravel inside a week, following a 1-0 defeat at home to AS Roma.
—Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Abby's world was already teetering from her father's death, and now, after taking Joel's life, her own emotional compass is unraveling.
—Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
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.
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
JetBlue’s planned acquisition of Spirit Airlines was blocked by the Justice Department last year, while its partnership in the Northeast with American Airlines unraveled after the carriers lost an antitrust lawsuit in 2023.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
Inter Milan’s season is beginning to unravel inside a week, following a 1-0 defeat at home to AS Roma.
—Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Abby's world was already teetering from her father's death, and now, after taking Joel's life, her own emotional compass is unraveling.
—Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 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 3 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share