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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Vought's tactics unfolded this year, often below the radar. Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025 The story unfolds amid the frenzy surrounding an impending papal visit. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 Building can unfold faster in factories than on site, where builders face unpredictable weather. Addie Costello, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025 The story that unfolds is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold
Verb
  • In addition to WeRide and Pony AI, Baidu is also expanding its robotaxi offerings through its Apollo Go vehicles.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • That includes a new and robust collaboration with Brazil’s federal government and 22 of its states—including Pará—to expand cooperation on climate action.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But the very nature of the connection between stars and their audience is now evolving, according to the IMDb report.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Trucking employs millions of drivers across the United States, and experts predict that job roles will evolve as fleets adopt autonomous systems.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The seven-mile Torreya Challenge Loop steadily climbs and dips, meandering over creeks, an old forest road, and blackberry brambles, following a ridge where mountain laurels bloom in the spring and visitors can find the steepest incline in the park.
    Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Just like garlic, spring flowers like tulips, daffodils, and snowdrops need to be planted in the fall to bloom.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Eli Lilly is similarly developing a new injectable GLP-1, retatrutide, that appears to be even more effective than the current drugs on the market—and which the company confirmed is not currently included in its agreement with the White House.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
  • One form Asks whether the tree appears To exhibit a history of failures.
    MaKshya Tolbert, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In a live video, Khan indicated that there is a rich history with the National Championship, extending back to the days of Georgia Wrestling, which Schiavone was associated with.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • This was a serious favor to extend to the son of an old friend, to take me from nowhere and propel me to the middle of that whole game.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Several of the production facilities that CNN analyzed have swiftly replaced villages and farmland, growing by tens of thousands of square feet in the past five years.
    Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Though George Washington and the press started off amicably, their relationship grew more adversarial once journalists began criticizing the nation’s first president.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Make sure to store them away from fruits, which emit ethylene gas that can affect flowering.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Spring-flowering bulbs should be planted after your first frost.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Jail records show Gatica faces charges of DUI causing death or bodily injury and hit-and-run causing death or bodily injury.
    Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • From the 15th century down to the present day, the Church has constructed an identity and a past at odds with what the records show—expanding the authority and power of the papacy in ways that have striking broader political implications.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfold. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

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