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
Failure to change the current dynamic will not only have serious consequences for individuals, families, and communities, but will hinder the ability of researchers to unravel the connection between intellectual disability and autism among Black children.
—
Wendy K. Chung, STAT, 16 Apr. 2024
The investigation continued to unravel when officers received a call from a Hialeah police narcotics detective, the warrant states.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
In the relative peace and quiet of the modern universe, we’re left to unravel what this influx of images from the JWST means for our understanding of how galaxies form.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
Slipping support for Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza threatens to unravel the Democratic coalition at a time when the president wants to coalesce the party.
—USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Defying gravity High-altitude aircraft will fly within the path of Monday’s eclipse to unravel some of the greatest unresolved secrets about the sun.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
The 100th episode of 9-1-1 shocked fans with an unexpected kiss — and a love story may just unfold as the story continues to unravel.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
The charade unraveled in 2023, after Woods contacted Keirans’s employer.
—Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
The Heat rode a dynamic stretch from Jimmy Butler and four reserves to pull ahead in the fourth but then unraveled offensively late, going nearly six minutes without a point.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Wendy K. Chung, STAT, 16 Apr. 2024
The investigation continued to unravel when officers received a call from a Hialeah police narcotics detective, the warrant states.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
In the relative peace and quiet of the modern universe, we’re left to unravel what this influx of images from the JWST means for our understanding of how galaxies form.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
Slipping support for Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza threatens to unravel the Democratic coalition at a time when the president wants to coalesce the party.
—USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Defying gravity High-altitude aircraft will fly within the path of Monday’s eclipse to unravel some of the greatest unresolved secrets about the sun.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
The 100th episode of 9-1-1 shocked fans with an unexpected kiss — and a love story may just unfold as the story continues to unravel.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
The charade unraveled in 2023, after Woods contacted Keirans’s employer.
—Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
The Heat rode a dynamic stretch from Jimmy Butler and four reserves to pull ahead in the fourth but then unraveled offensively late, going nearly six minutes without a point.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
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 24 Apr. 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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