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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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 November 2 2024: Brazilian GP Sprint Race Infringement: Going too fast under the Virtual Safety Car Penalty points: 1 Late in the São Paulo Grand Prix’s sprint race, a virtual safety car period unfolded after Nico Hülkenberg’s car stopped off track. Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 14 June 2025 The documentary unfolds as a journey of connection, or reconnection. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 June 2025 More than 70 official rallies unfolded across Florida, including Miami, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and the Florida Keys. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 14 June 2025 The attack unfolded against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, which continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold
Verb
  • Trump’s memo will go into the history books as a moment when presidential power expanded to put under his control a military force aimed at U.S. civilians.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • Abu Shabab’s social media presence, along with slick videos and fluent English commentary, has expanded.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Marketers can have an internal blog, share regular newsletters or present at company meetings to educate and indoctrinate key messages while updating on elements that evolve.
    Dee Blohm, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Kesh’s remarks highlight how Alpha™ continues to solve problems for designers and consumers alike, building off a rich legacy and continuing to evolve textile technology.
    SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • The hydrangea blossoms had faded into dusty white or copper brown, the moss covering the path was shiny green, and at the far end a border of Michaelmas daisies bloomed, the last flowers before the winter.
    Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
  • Longley added that algae blooms in these remaining water areas have depleted oxygen levels, resulting in frequent fish kills.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Slezak is set to appear in Craig Brewer's musical film Song Sung Blue at the end of this year.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 13 June 2025
  • The best actors to take on a Wes Anderson role, many of whom have appeared again and again throughout the course of the filmmaker’s 12 features, seem comfortable stretching out in this narrow window of temperament.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • The campaign extends across multiple platforms, encouraging consumers to reconsider Walmart for their shopping needs.
    Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Bell Media, meanwhile, initially sought damages but settled the legal dispute in October after extending its partnership with Warner on HBO and HBO Max content for multiple years.
    Amber Dowling, Variety, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • The Dodgers organization has faced growing criticism from protesters for not speaking out about the immigration raids that have been taking place in the city.
    Bonnie Mclean, ABC News, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • As temperatures increase, so will flowering and fruiting.
    Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
  • Most home plantings need well over a year to grow large enough to flower and fruit.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • The release did not specify the date of the arrest, but Ada County Jail records show that Teague was booked Thursday evening.
    Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 14 June 2025
  • Video from the weather event shows city streets transformed into waterways and passing city buses generating waves that broke against storefronts, while the rain persisted, relentless and torrential.
    Rob Schmitz, NPR, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfold. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.

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