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
-
It’s turned rainy and cooler in the past couple of days, but the creosote bushes are blooming yellow.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Long-blooming annuals include blanket flower, spider flower, and trailing petunia.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
14 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
-
Molinar presented mid-year MAP data on Tuesday night at the school board meeting, showing how students in kindergarten through eighth grade are progressing compared to their national peers.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Boswell has returned to practice, but Illinois needs to evaluate how his hand is progressing this week.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
11 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
-
Filmmakers will have access to dashboards showing view counts, completion rates and audience analytics, data the brothers believe could eventually become a secondary monetization tool.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
It’s gotten worse because America’s youth sports scene has become so profitable that private equity firms are reportedly showing an interest to join what previously had been a space for recreation, fun and life lessons for young people.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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