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
His performance balances youthful idealism, simmering rage and heartbreaking vulnerability, particularly as the character becomes increasingly consumed by the injustices unfolding around him.
—
Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Across the United States, a quiet but high-stakes regulatory revolution is unfolding.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
The races are unfolding against the backdrop of California’s top-two primary system, which sends the two highest vote-getters to the general election regardless of party.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2026
The shots were heard in the ballroom, sending most attendees to the ground in the confusion of what was unfolding.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 June 2026
The seed crisis fueling the urgency The race to save heritage varieties is unfolding against a backdrop researchers describe in stark terms.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Tran hears much of this from his father, who has a strong interest in the unfolding event.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
The couple also sees Tango Elite as part of a larger cultural conversation unfolding across Los Angeles.
—Daily News, 2 June 2026
Inside the Skakel house, meanwhile, another story was unfolding.
—Kate Casey, Vanity Fair, 2 June 2026
Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Across the United States, a quiet but high-stakes regulatory revolution is unfolding.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
The races are unfolding against the backdrop of California’s top-two primary system, which sends the two highest vote-getters to the general election regardless of party.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2026
The shots were heard in the ballroom, sending most attendees to the ground in the confusion of what was unfolding.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 June 2026
The seed crisis fueling the urgency The race to save heritage varieties is unfolding against a backdrop researchers describe in stark terms.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Tran hears much of this from his father, who has a strong interest in the unfolding event.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
The couple also sees Tango Elite as part of a larger cultural conversation unfolding across Los Angeles.
—Daily News, 2 June 2026
Inside the Skakel house, meanwhile, another story was unfolding.
—Kate Casey, Vanity Fair, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
Verb
-
Vietnam is expanding rooftop solar adoption as part of a broader push toward renewable energy and long-term energy security.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Building on its successful rollout in Brazil, Juspay is expanding Click to Pay globally to eliminate manual card entry, which minimizes checkout friction, reduces cart abandonment and boosts conversion rates.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
For Wharry, those ideas reflect the unfinished and evolving nature of the space.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
-
As scientists continue analyzing the evolving CME situation, all eyes remain on region 4455, which still has the potential to unleash further strong solar flares in the coming days.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Once its blooming season wraps up in spring, its leafy shrub remains.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
-
In times of drought, roses stop blooming as a way to conserve moisture.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Brith, who is ahead and in charge, is taking as her guide the stream, which sparks in the sunlight, cutting a narrow channel through the hillside, weaving itself around rocks and tree trunks, appearing and disappearing, diving underground then springing up in unexpected places.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
In a burst of primary color and trompe l’oeil trickery, five dice—red, yellow, blue, green, white—are suspended against a maroon field densely latticed with dice shapes, the cubes appearing simultaneously to lie stationary on its pip-stippled surface and to tumble downward through space.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Matt Olson’s solo home run in the sixth inning proved to be the difference Tuesday as the Braves beat the visiting Blue Jays 4-3 at Truist Park, beginning the three-game series with their 15th series-opening victory of the season.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
3 June 2026
-
At times, his lower half was opening too quickly, throwing off the way his legs worked with his upper half.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Early signs such as fever or weakness can resemble other viruses, before progressing to diarrhea and vomiting.—
Jane Weaver,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
The device provides physicians the ability to remotely listen to lung sounds and rapidly assess if a child’s asthma symptoms are progressing, so that escalation in care pathways can be determined.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Oleander This pink-flowering shrub causes serious heart and gastrointestinal problems in cats and other animals.—
Amy DeYoung,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
Water and flowering trees make the place feel like an Old-World safari camp.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
On the front of the card was a scan of his brain showing the tumor on it.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Bloomberg reported there had been complaints of Manifold showing aggressive behavior toward employees and mishandling sensitive information.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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