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 film centres on the owner of a failing furniture chain whose insurance scam unravels catastrophically on the eve of his daughter’s wedding, leaving him scrambling to keep his family oblivious, avoid prison and salvage the celebration. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026

But the murder plot tied to his defeat became a cautionary tale about how quickly public trust can unravel. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026

Amanda Kohr Crickets – After the disappearance of their first-place teammate, a group of competitive teen dancers and their stage moms begin to unravel, exposing the brutal cost of girlhood, ambition, and the need to be loved. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026

But the Cardinal then stumbled through a 1-8 stretch that threatened to unravel everything. —Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 2 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