Synonyms of unfolding

unfolding

verb

present participle of unfold

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

• expanding
• opening
• extending
• unfurling
• spreading (out)
• stretching (out)
• flaring (out)
• fanning (out)
• outspreading
• outstretching
• overspreading

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closing
• folding
• contracting
• reducing
• condensing
• compressing
• compacting

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

• evolving
• progressing
• growing
• developing
• proceeding
• elaborating
• emerging
• blossoming
• maturing
• ripening
• marching
• forging
• getting along
• advancing
• getting on
• faring
• playing out
• materializing

3

as in blooming

to produce flowers

the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blooming
• flowering
• blossoming
• burgeoning
• blowing
• leaving
• efflorescing
• leafing
• budding
• opening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fading
• dying
• withering
• drying up
• dropping
• expiring
• wilting
• shriveling
• perishing

4

as in appearing

to come into view

the majestic landscape unfolded before us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appearing
• showing
• coming
• looming
• arriving
• rising
• happening
• materializing
• coming out
• emerging
• reappearing
• turning up
• showing up
• occurring
• erupting
• surfacing
• arising
• blossoming
• dawning
• resurfacing
• issuing
• bulking
• shooting (up)
• breaking out
• outcropping
• springing (up)
• breaking
• cropping (up)
• bobbing (up)
• debuting
• rematerializing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• going (away)
• vanishing
• disappearing
• dissolving
• evaporating
• fading
• melting (away)
• clearing
• leaving
• evanescing
• withdrawing
• departing
• retiring

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unfolding

Again, the offseason is unfolding on a very typical timeline. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 Nov. 2026

Greer has also been embroiled in the unfolding infidelity and national security scandal around Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 12 Nov. 2026

The unfolding Nvidia saga has intensified scrutiny of the legal means by which top Chinese firms are able to access advanced American compute. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2026

The closed-door, off-the-record, noncompetitive summit opened to applicants in May, later unfolding from September 17-21. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2026

Half an hour later and a few miles east in Sylmar, a very different scene was unfolding. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

The fight over the video and the message’s intent is unfolding in the middle of a long regulatory timetable. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026

At dawn of July 1, 1863, the war had been unfolding for more than two years. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

The emergency appeal to the high court came in the fast-moving legal battle unfolding in the run-up to Tuesday's elections. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026