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
Synonyms
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
Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano look like the perfect couple — but secrets lurking beneath their picturesque facade are threatening to unravel them.
—
Julia Moore, People.com, 30 Sep. 2024
To unravel the secrets of the desolate terrain, researchers are combining machine learning with a satellite imagery technique that uses radio waves to spot objects that may be concealed beneath surfaces.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024
Yet to think that the entire counter-IS effort will unravel absent U.S. troops is to leave all the other local actors without agency.
—Daniel Depetris, TIME, 28 Sep. 2024
Depositphotos View 1 Images Incredibly, for the first time, scientists have unraveled the mechanisms at play when rubbing a surface creates an electrical current, something that was first recorded in 600 BCE yet not fully understood until now.
—New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unravel 
Julia Moore, People.com, 30 Sep. 2024
To unravel the secrets of the desolate terrain, researchers are combining machine learning with a satellite imagery technique that uses radio waves to spot objects that may be concealed beneath surfaces.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024
Yet to think that the entire counter-IS effort will unravel absent U.S. troops is to leave all the other local actors without agency.
—Daniel Depetris, TIME, 28 Sep. 2024
Depositphotos View 1 Images Incredibly, for the first time, scientists have unraveled the mechanisms at play when rubbing a surface creates an electrical current, something that was first recorded in 600 BCE yet not fully understood until now.
—New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unravel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unravel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
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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