UNFOLD Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

unfold

verb

ˌən-ˈfōld

Definition of unfold

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to bloom

to produce flowers the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to appear

to come into view the majestic landscape unfolded before us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 From their perspective, those matchups couldn’t unfold much worse than the last ones. — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 15 July 2026 The story unfolds across the Icelandic archipelago of Vestmannaeyjar, and the Icelandic and Portuguese capitals of Reykjavík and Lisbon. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 14 July 2026 The plaintiffs want to go through arbitration individually, but say a court order is necessary to preserve their employment while that process unfolds. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026 One of the most magical and underrated natural wonders of the American West is about to unfold across California beaches. — Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfold

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold

Verb

The legislation reflects the complexity of the crisis, combining a total of 47 proposals aimed at increasing housing supply, reducing costs and expanding access to affordable homes.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Air Force partnership expands The award extends Asylon’s collaboration with the Air Force beyond autonomous security operations, an area where its robotic platforms already support active missions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

The concept, which evolved from Victory Coffee & Calamity, preserves its specialty coffee program while giving the same space an entirely different personality in the later hours.

— Christopher Hassiotis, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
Recovered missiles have already shown evidence of evolving designs.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026

Definition of evolve

Verb

Cheryl planted perennials at the property to bloom throughout the year.

— David Caraccio Updated July 4, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
Within days of the pool being refilled on June 9, patches of vivid green algae bloomed across the surface, particularly near the Lincoln and World War II memorials.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 July 2026

Definition of bloom

Verb

Iran claims to have targeted US facilities and partners across the Middle East on Friday, unleashing what appear to be its largest reprisals since a fragile ceasefire shattered almost a week ago.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Bosworth appears as Kathleen Sloane, a corporate defense attorney whose morals are called into question when her clients ask for the unthinkable.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 July 2026

Definition of appear

Verb

Arizona extended its lead in the sixth after Tawa hit an RBI single to left and Perdomo drove in a run on a groundout to first.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
There were several security guards and metal detectors customers had to go through, which created a line extending out the Union Station doors.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026

Definition of extend

Verb

Calls for police in Wilmington, Delaware, to release body cam footage from the officer who shot and killed Kadir Skinner in June are growing.

— CBS News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Former patrons of the bar and other mourners visited the site Tuesday, adding to the growing pile of flowers leaning on the guardrails cordoning off the location of the blaze.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026

Definition of grow

Verb

The compensation study completed last December showed many positions were at or above the 50th percentile among comparable agencies, including the Folsom Parks and Recreation Department and Cameron Park Community Services District.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Surveillance footage obtained by The Associated Press appears to show a white sedan, believed to be Durán Guerrero on his way to work, driving in circles near an intersection before an unmarked vehicle blocks its path.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Definition of show

Browse Nearby Words

unfocused

unfold

unfolded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfold. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unfold

verb

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