Definition of unfoldnext
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 Tracy’s early life unfolded under complex and formative circumstances. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026 While Nicole Kidman appeared to settle her divorce from Keith Urban quickly and without much fuss, a less amicable situation reportedly unfolded behind the scenes, in part due to the painful aftermath of her 2001 divorce from first husband Tom Cruise. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 The power outages are unfolding amid freezing temperatures in Kyiv, where forecasts show overnight lows under 20 degrees. Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026 Any one of those events can change how a bankruptcy case unfolds, and in some cases, dramatically. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold
Verb
  • Flywing also plans to expand the competitive side of the platform.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.
    Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Continuing to pursue her passion for content creation also meant evolving her output to reflect her new reality.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Originally a working-class neighborhood of Polish immigrants who raised goats in their yards—leading to the nickname Goat Prairie and later Bucktown—this Chicago enclave has evolved into a mix of independent boutiques and restaurants with a dynamic urban feel.
    Hannah Howard, Midwest Living, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The nude mesh dress was strategically embroidered with pale pink flowers and sage green leaves, which bloomed over her body and around the hemline.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Wait to prune your azaleas and rhodies until they are done blooming.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • These encounters appear to act like a refueling system, delivering fresh gas that can keep the black hole quietly active for long periods.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The video also appeared to depict the officers did not take immediate steps to ensure that Good received emergency medical care after the shooting took place.
    Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • If members of Congress did reach an agreement, Covered California would extend its enrollment period or reopen it, Altman said, so more patients could access financial assistance.
    Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Truwit's advocacy extends beyond Paralympic swimming.
    Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • As Piper's YouTube following grew, Tiffany began inviting aspiring child actors to join her daughter on camera reportedly in an attempt to make a kid version of Friends.
    Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Our family lives in a smaller community served by two large and growing public school districts.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Of the many types of basil, the classic Italian 'Treviso' variety stands out for resisting bitterness, staying tender longer, and being slow to flower even as summer heats up.
    Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Creating an optimal growing environment is essential to flowering.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • To compound the surreal mood, Petro’s office issued a meme that showed a bald eagle snuggling up to a jaguar.
    Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
  • These stories show how contemporary Greeks came to understand and embed Phoenicians, their culture and practices into their mythology.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfold. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

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