unwind

verb

un·​wind ˌən-ˈwīnd 

unwound ˌən-ˈwau̇nd  ; unwinding; unwinds

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 launch fits into a broader push for better-sleep products aimed at consumers who want to unwind at night without giving up the comfort of a familiar treat. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

This allows for genuine relaxation and gives both partners permission to unwind without guilt, improving mood and patience. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Memory stocks — The AI trade continued to come under pressure, with the memory names unwinding yet again in premarket trading on Friday. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 17 July 2026

This is just the latest of many steps in Brussels’s effort to unwind vertical integration and curb the gatekeeping power of big tech companies. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 17 July 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
• crosswind
• declined
• defined
• designed
• divined

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