unwind

verb

un·​wind ˌən-ˈwīnd 

unwound ˌən-ˈwau̇nd  ; unwinding

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to uncoil : wind off : unroll

b

: to free from or as if from a binding or wrapping

c

: to release from tension : relax

2

archaic : to trace to the end

… unwinding the labyrinth and bringing the hero out …

—Laurence Sterne

3

: to undo (a financial arrangement or position) through the necessary legal or financial steps

… unwound most of its natural gas hedges …

—The New York Times

intransitive verb

1

: to become uncoiled or disentangled : unfold

2

: to become released from tension

take a bath to unwind

Synonyms of unwind

• relax

Examples of unwind in a Sentence

She unwound some thread from the spool.

The fishing line unwound quickly.

I wanted to unwind after a hard day.

Recent Examples on the Web

The uncomfortable implication is that global imbalances do not always unwind through smooth price adjustments. —James Broughel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026

Generations battle using knights and queens half their height on a massive chessboard, and families with young kids unwind at the pool overlooking the Illinois River valley. —Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 9 May 2026

Early lifestyle decisions can quietly lock in patterns that are difficult to unwind later. —Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026

Frontier expands routes, will cut less profitable ones Dempsey took over from longtime Frontier CEO Barry Biffle in December and has unwound some of his more aggressive expansion plans. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for unwind

• aligned
• alined
• assigned
• behind
• combined
• confined
• consigned
• declined
• defined
• designed
• divined
• enshrined

Kids Definition

unwind

verb

un·​wind ˌən-ˈwīnd 

ˈən-

unwound -ˈwau̇nd  ; unwinding

1

a

: to cause to uncoil : wind off

b

: to become uncoiled or untangled

2

: to make or become free of tension : relax

wanted to unwind after a hard day