1
as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area carefully unfold that antique map so that it doesn't tear

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to evolve
to gradually become clearer or more detailed as the situation unfolded, it became clear that more help would be needed the movie became more interesting once the mystery began to unfold

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3
as in to bloom
to produce flowers the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

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4

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unfold That meant disseminating the pertinent information got to the right people more quickly and efficiently as the draft process unfolded. Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Commemorations unfolded, though unacknowledged by governments and factory owners who are legally barred from hiring refugees (but often do so anyway due to low wages and labor availability). Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 25 June 2025 The drama all unfolded in the secretive Office of Municipal Services Assessment, a unit created by Mayor Adams to evaluate the performance of city agencies that operated out of 375 Pearl St. behind police headquarters. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025 The fragrance then unfolds into a radiant heart of Lavandin, Mahonial®, and Rosyfolia®, to encapsulate sunshine in an endless summer. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold
Verb
  • Organizers are also expanding the slate of live podcasts with Johnny Manziel’s Glory Daze and Jeff Teague’s 520 Podcast set to take the stage, for example.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
  • Last year, his position expanded to include chief franchise officer.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • But fans in Connecticut and beyond quickly fell in love with their dynamic as TikTok dances evolved into lengthy live streams, and their relationship goes even deeper when the cameras aren’t on.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
  • Passive income has evolved beyond real estate and dividend stocks and there are now new paths like digital products and YouTube channels that are worth exploring.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • In the wacky political world of Southeast Los Angeles County — where scandals seem to bloom every year with the regularity of jacarandas — there’s never been a mess as pendejo as the one stirred up this week by Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
  • We’re fed Apollo Bar highlights like a salad rosso, a globe of radicchio segmented with chunks of blood orange, a blooming artichoke, and seasonal strawberry ice-cream cake.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Video recreations like Cameron's appear across popular platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 June 2025
  • Bowman appeared particularly dismissive toward the threat of tariffs, which many economists say could slow growth, particularly if companies absorb the cost of the duties rather than passing them on to consumers.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The shift extends beyond just remote work opportunities.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 25 June 2025
  • Waymo’s robotaxi rollout extends beyond its Uber partnership.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • How to get involved Liz Ceballos, a retail manager with decades of experience, helps Capsule vendors grow their businesses and become part of the community of Miami entrepreneurs.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
  • The clock is ticking down on Trump's 90-day pause on those tariffs — but institutional investors are actually growing more enthusiastic about emerging markets, according to Bank of America's most recent Fund Manager Survey.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • This perennial is drought tolerant and has a very long bloom time, flowering all summer long.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
  • Deer tend to leave these beautiful flowering vines alone.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Brands are also showing interest in using LaundRE in their reshoring plans by importing garments from places like Bangladesh and Pakistan and finishing them locally in small quantities to reduce overbuying and waste.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 June 2025
  • While the salary cap had only increased by 5% since 2020, slides showed a 60% percent increase in signing bonuses and 42% increase in salary guarantees.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfold. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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