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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of unfolding
This conservation success is unfolding alongside a broader transition to renewable energy, a shift that is rapidly increasing demand for nickel.
—
ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
For most Americans, the war involving Iran is unfolding as breaking international news, a conflict half a world away.
—Brian Unger, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Now Ziara -- along with many other medical workers, human rights groups and civilians -- warns that the same scenario is unfolding in Lebanon.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2026
Off-screen, a complicated love triangle involving castmates Amanda Batula, Ciara Miller, and West Wilson has been unfolding across the internet in real time, adding another layer of intrigue to an already buzzy moment for the franchise.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2026
There’s a quiet panic unfolding in living rooms across the country.
—Ali Kaufman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
The current talks are unfolding in a landscape where those concerns have metastasized into something harder to contain.
—Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 7 Apr. 2026
Kurt's key takeaways The CareCloud data breach is still unfolding.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Curiously, a parallel debate is unfolding at City Hall regarding the future of our downtown economy.
—John Mannillo, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
For most Americans, the war involving Iran is unfolding as breaking international news, a conflict half a world away.
—Brian Unger, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Now Ziara -- along with many other medical workers, human rights groups and civilians -- warns that the same scenario is unfolding in Lebanon.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2026
Off-screen, a complicated love triangle involving castmates Amanda Batula, Ciara Miller, and West Wilson has been unfolding across the internet in real time, adding another layer of intrigue to an already buzzy moment for the franchise.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2026
There’s a quiet panic unfolding in living rooms across the country.
—Ali Kaufman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
The current talks are unfolding in a landscape where those concerns have metastasized into something harder to contain.
—Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 7 Apr. 2026
Kurt's key takeaways The CareCloud data breach is still unfolding.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Curiously, a parallel debate is unfolding at City Hall regarding the future of our downtown economy.
—John Mannillo, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
Verb
-
Mantello’s production actually frees the play from its own time, expanding its vista.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Murillo said the Mining Arc later became a financial lifeline for the Venezuelan regime as oil revenues collapsed, with gold extraction expanding rapidly under opaque arrangements involving state players and armed groups.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Through the director’s decade-long friendship with the duo, the film explores the evolving dynamics of the mother-daughter relationship and raises questions about the extent of a mother’s sacrifice.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
-
And the core focus of her conversations with vendors is also evolving.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Daffodils, crocus and forsythia are blooming, and there are buds on many trees.—
Tracy Trobridge,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Temperatures are getting warmer, flowers are blooming, and part of downtown Philadelphia is going car-free in celebration of spring.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Post-Euphoria, Ferreira has turned her attention largely to film, notably appearing opposite John Leguizamo in 2024’s Bob Trevino Likes It, and made her Broadway debut (with the support of some of her former Euphoria costars) in Cult of Love.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
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But with most independent polls showing a double-digit deficit for Fidesz among decided voters ahead of the vote, Orbán has sought to boost his profile by appearing publicly with his international admirers.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The only way to pull out of an awful season-opening stretch is one at-bat, one pitch, one win at a time.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Founded by Jesús Brazón, the bakery famous for its croissants, sourdough and cachitos will be opening this week at the Harbour Club in Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour neighborhood.—
Connie Ogle
April 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After birth, human beings undergo infant and toddler development, moving on to child development before progressing to puberty and adolescence on the way to adulthood.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Times analysis showed that both communities were still progressing well behind the pace of Santa Rosa after the 2017 Tubbs fire, with about half as many permits issued in the Palisades as a percentage of those burned and two-thirds in Altadena in the same period.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps your backyard is verdant but not pristine, with spots of flowering weeds.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The garden's website says the flowering cherries bloom from late March or early April through mid-May.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The complaint included Colorado State Patrol inspection records showing 19 notices in the years leading up to the crash -- most related to brake problems.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Auriemma wasn’t finished showing his displeasure.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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