1
as in expanding
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
2
as in evolving
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
3
as in blooming
to produce flowers
the rosebud unfolded literally overnight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in appearing
to come into view
the majestic landscape unfolded before us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfolding
The largest wealth movement in modern history is unfolding across generations, bringing financial opportunity alongside emotional complexity.
—
Matt Emma, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
One way the book approaches history is by unfolding across different places and examining the past of each of them.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
So, sitting here now, three decades later, an inappropriate joke about ICE felt like a twisted way to cope with the stress of what has been unfolding.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Nearly three decades later, the show struggled to generate the sense that something larger was unfolding around it.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026
But beneath the noise, a different story is unfolding.
—Shed Jackson, AJC.com, 17 Feb. 2026
What makes the population so vulnerable at this time is that the country was already at its worst economically since the early days of the revolution, and a humanitarian crisis was unfolding.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
The third season, which began airing worldwide in January on Apple TV+, was reportedly delayed because of how similar the plotline is to the real events that have been unfolding in Iran over the past year.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
For many people with back pain, this cycle has been unfolding quietly for years.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Matt Emma, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
One way the book approaches history is by unfolding across different places and examining the past of each of them.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
So, sitting here now, three decades later, an inappropriate joke about ICE felt like a twisted way to cope with the stress of what has been unfolding.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Nearly three decades later, the show struggled to generate the sense that something larger was unfolding around it.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026
But beneath the noise, a different story is unfolding.
—Shed Jackson, AJC.com, 17 Feb. 2026
What makes the population so vulnerable at this time is that the country was already at its worst economically since the early days of the revolution, and a humanitarian crisis was unfolding.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
The third season, which began airing worldwide in January on Apple TV+, was reportedly delayed because of how similar the plotline is to the real events that have been unfolding in Iran over the past year.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
For many people with back pain, this cycle has been unfolding quietly for years.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
Verb
-
The galaxies will dissociate and disappear, leaving only isolated masses expanding away from one another, with no energy left to extract.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The hotel recently joined Wyndham Hotels and Resorts as part of the Trademark Collection, expanding its global reach while maintaining its independent spirit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Villa's Tacos is a true grassroots effort, started out of his grandma's house in 2018 before evolving into a pop-up, then a brick-and-mortar location, followed by two more.—
Andrés Soto,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Calling attention to the archetype of invisible exile—giving it a name and charting its path—opens our eyes to the ever-evolving shades of grey linking travel and belonging.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This relative of catnip (Nepeta cataria) has some of the same bewitching effects on cats, but this species has more attractive flowers, blooming from May until September.—
Angela England,
The Spruce,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Pruning is usually done at specific times of the year, typically while a plant is dormant, before new growth emerges in spring, or once the blooming cycle of a plant is done for the season.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Last year was one in which the public got used to seeing androids growing more adept at movement, appearing as showpieces in promotional sport events and other events.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The moon — appearing fractionally smaller than usual — was unable to cover the entirety of the sun's disk, leaving a thin sliver of its outer edge visible to surround Earth's natural satellite to create a ring in the skies over Antarctica.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The backstory Three years after opening La Sultana Marrakech in 2004, its owners sought for a quieter, more intimate spot to unveil their second Moroccan hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
DeMellier is scaling fast, building serious sales momentum ahead of opening its first flagship in London’s Sloane Square later this year.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Dane announced last year that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a rare but swiftly progressing neurodegenerative disease.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
-
But the signs that the union guys were right were confirmed when the typically highly articulate JB Pritzker was reduced to a stutter when a reporter asked the governor of Illinois how things were progressing with negotiations with the Bears to build a stadium in Arlington Heights.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many of these flowering trees are naturally found in the understory of mature woodlands and tolerate shade.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Boxwood, holly, ferns, and other greenery are combined with climbing vines such as roses, camellias, and jasmine to add height and subtle color, while flowering shrubs and dependable perennials like lavender and hydrangea add romance.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
During a singing performance, its facial expressions appeared strikingly lifelike, showing how expressive robotics continues to evolve.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, this may be showing kids that mental and emotional health are no less important than physical health.—
Sarah Cottrell,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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