unspool

verb

un·​spool ˌən-ˈspül 

unspooled; unspooling; unspools

transitive verb

1

: to unwind from a spool

unspool the cable

2

: to execute or present artfully or gracefully

unspooled a jump shot

unspooling an intricate tale

intransitive verb

: to be presented or revealed on or as if on a movie screen

Examples of unspool in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the spotlight settles on each of them, that person unspools a monologue, a candid account of their origins, their desires and dreams, their galaxy of excuses and explanations. —Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026

Against that backdrop of very real terror, a different story starts to unspool, as Justin shares a series of recordings with Evy that have been sent to the podcast. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026

The series unspools simultaneously the two timelines building to two huge twists, one in 2012 and another in 2019. —John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026

Bits and pieces of news about the crash and its aftermath will undoubtedly unspool over the next few days or weeks. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for unspool

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• preschool
• pustule
• whirlpool