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
Kickbacks detailed in court records Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of unraveling Gatlin’s web of fraudulent charges for investigators and Foundation officials was determining the validity of charges.
—
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
What began as a shocking violation soon unraveled into something far darker.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Yet a number of former officials involved in past Israeli-Palestinian conflict negotiations, including the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Oslo Accords that ultimately unraveled in the following years, feel Trump is closer than ever to securing the award.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Based on Andrea Mara’s novel of the same name, the story follows a mother whose life unravels when her young son disappears.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
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Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
What began as a shocking violation soon unraveled into something far darker.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Yet a number of former officials involved in past Israeli-Palestinian conflict negotiations, including the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Oslo Accords that ultimately unraveled in the following years, feel Trump is closer than ever to securing the award.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Based on Andrea Mara’s novel of the same name, the story follows a mother whose life unravels when her young son disappears.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 10 Oct. 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 18 Oct. 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
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