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 Thursday’s incident unfolded shortly after 2 p.m. when the San Francisco Fire Department received a call that a man had collapsed in the water at Ocean Beach near Lawton Street after jumping in to try to save a dog. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025 The tense scenes unfolded on Thursday morning as video appears to show agents pushing residents protesting as federal immigration agents attempt to detain a woman. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 The attack unfolded around 7:45 a.m. in the 5900 block of North Ravenswood Avenue. Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025 The narrative unfolds and evolves over time, steadily peeling away psychological layers and adding depth through creative additions. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold
Verb
  • On a year-on-year basis, however, Japan's GDP expanded 1.7%, the largest expansion since the first quarter of 2023 and a stronger showing compared to the 1.3% growth seen in the fourth quarter.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 May 2025
  • This year, that influence expanded into the cultural mainstream with her debut on Season 7 of The Real Housewives of Miami.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Featuring distinctive design elements, such as latticed brickwork and glossy tiles, the 39-room Hotel Humano, which opened in December 2024 and was just named to Travel + Leisure's 2025 It List of best new hotels, is quickly evolving into a neighborhood hub.
    David Shortell, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
  • Markets shift, customer behaviors evolve and operational landscapes change constantly.
    Cam Linke, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Chickweed blooms in spring, and each plant can produce thousands of seeds.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025
  • Across various cultures, the Flower Moon is tied closely with the abundance of blooming flowers.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • The chaos at Newark and Atlanta highlights problems that have become increasingly common, with summer travel season around the corner By A version of this article originally appeared in Quartz’s members-only Weekend Brief newsletter.
    Jackie Snow, Quartz, 19 May 2025
  • Benson made a brief but memorable cameo in the live-action film, appearing as a vendor at a marketplace who hands Bailey a fork on land.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • President Trump, Vice President Vance React to First American Pope Announcement World leaders across continents extended messages of hope, unity and spiritual solidarity Thursday after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Most also extend protection to the browser, steering users away from destinations that host malware or attempt to phish security credentials by imitating sensitive sites.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • All three were still actively growing, Ramsay said.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The company has steadily built a growing business in cryptocurrencies.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Spanish arthouse has flowered again in Spain, especially from a new generation of filmmakers.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 14 May 2025
  • Whether depicting bustling city scenes, quiet temples, or flowering birds, Hiroshige’s prints spoke to a broad audience—creating accessible art that crossed class boundaries and elevated everyday life.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Some 30 MiG 15s with North Korean and Chinese markings, though crewed by Soviet pilots, showed their superiority against an American force several times larger.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • The new pope is registered to vote in the Chicago suburbs, and voting records obtained by CBS News show he's voted in several general elections — along with both Democratic and Republican primaries.
    May 8, CBS News, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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