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
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 unfolding
Inside the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum, a new chapter is unfolding, according to curator Jill Ahlberg Yohe.
—
Derek James, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The Alabama Solution is a six-year investigation into the crisis unfolding at prisons across the southern state, discovering over 1,300 deaths of people in custody inside Alabama correctional facilities between 2019 and 2024.
—Davi Merchan, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026
Republican Party chair Allen West declined to comment Tuesday on the confusion unfolding on election day.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
The unfolding war in the Middle East has ricocheted across the region, with nearly every country sustaining damage from missile hits or shrapnel, many reporting casualties, and key embassies, economic engines and passageways closing down.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
An incredible total lunar eclipse is still unfolding across North America, though totality has now come to an end.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026
And yet, that’s just what’s unfolding this month.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
The Administration is doing its best to spin this unfolding disaster as all going according to plan, but what is the plan?
—Ron Paul, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
And with the Epstein case unfolding unpredictably around the world, the Clintons are once again ensnared in the scandal of the moment.
—Steven Sloan The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
Derek James, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The Alabama Solution is a six-year investigation into the crisis unfolding at prisons across the southern state, discovering over 1,300 deaths of people in custody inside Alabama correctional facilities between 2019 and 2024.
—Davi Merchan, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026
Republican Party chair Allen West declined to comment Tuesday on the confusion unfolding on election day.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
The unfolding war in the Middle East has ricocheted across the region, with nearly every country sustaining damage from missile hits or shrapnel, many reporting casualties, and key embassies, economic engines and passageways closing down.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
An incredible total lunar eclipse is still unfolding across North America, though totality has now come to an end.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026
And yet, that’s just what’s unfolding this month.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
The Administration is doing its best to spin this unfolding disaster as all going according to plan, but what is the plan?
—Ron Paul, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
And with the Epstein case unfolding unpredictably around the world, the Clintons are once again ensnared in the scandal of the moment.
—Steven Sloan The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
Verb
-
After observing Choe Hyon's sea trials on Tuesday, Kim said the ship met operational requirements and called it a symbol of the country's expanding naval capabilities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Ukrainian manufacturers have developed low-cost interceptor drones specifically designed to hunt and destroy Shaheds, and its rapidly expanding drone industry is producing excess capacity.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Asteroid and comet redirection is possible as well, as several missions have demonstrated, and perhaps a long-term future for humanity, as well as whatever humans wind up evolving into, will continue to include that information.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Mar. 2026
-
An effort to undermine the credibility of the chief executive officer of the University of Connecticut Health Center was timed to go public before the celebratory kickoff Wednesday of Waterbury Hospital’s renewal as part of an evolving new hospital system led by UConn Health.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The plants grow progressively taller, blooming from early summer until frost; plant taller types in the back of the border.—
Michelle Darrisaw,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Attend a plant talk on houseplant care, a seminar on blooming tropical plants that thrive in the Midwest, or an orchid-repotting demonstration led by experts.—
Elaine Rewolinski,
jsonline.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jack Horner, a renowned paleontologist who worked as a consultant on all seven films in the Jurassic Park franchise, is no longer employed as a lecturer at Chapman University, following his name appearing several times in the Epstein files.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Trump has previously drawn scrutiny for falling asleep during meetings, appearing with bruised hands often covered in makeup, revelations of unspecified medical imaging and a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, which can cause swelling in the legs and ankles.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Futures that indicate where the S&P 500 will trade at the opening bell dropped 2%, while Dow futures pointed to as much as a 970-point drop.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Restricting access to one of the country’s most important sources of affordable capital risks slowing expansion, delaying hiring and preventing new firms from opening their doors altogether.—
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, the work is not progressing.—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
McGrath said Monday Dolton’s lawsuit against the insurance company is progressing, as the insurance company’s motion to dismiss the case was recently denied.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Key Takeaways Echinacea is a flowering herb used to make tea, dietary supplements, and extracts.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Some prefer to cut the blooms before flowering and enjoy the bold leaves instead.—
Jamie McIntosh,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Explosions were reported in the eastern and western parts of the capital with dramatic footage showing Tehran’s Mehrabad airport on fire.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In footage played in court showing the women following an unmarked vehicle, they can be heard discussing their plan to observe an ICE raid.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
