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 damage and acceptance that kind of internal contradiction can bring to a person over an extended period runs through every frame of Firstman’s film, and the result feels less like a conventional dramedy than a decade-long discovery unfolding in real time.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
Fittingly, the showdown is unfolding just outside Pennsylvania’s City of Brotherly Love.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
One of the pleasures of theater in the round is being able to glance across the stage and see how others are reacting to what is unfolding.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Global Turmoil Cannes is unfolding against the backdrop of one of the world’s most geopolitically tense moments in recent decades, amid the Iran-US war, Israel’s military action in Lebanon and Gaza as well as the Russia-Ukraine war.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 May 2026
The scenes are unfolding in Colombia’s Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, a vast coastal wetland on the Caribbean coast about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the city of Santa Marta.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Dwinal-Palisch notes that these two dynamics, advancing automation and narrowing entry points, are unfolding alongside another development that moves in a different direction.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Puig’s baseball comeback is unfolding under a pretty massive legal cloud.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
This access to immediacy — our ability to be there as history is unfolding — much of that is possible, thanks to the vision of CNN founder Ted Turner.
—NPR, 6 May 2026
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
Fittingly, the showdown is unfolding just outside Pennsylvania’s City of Brotherly Love.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
One of the pleasures of theater in the round is being able to glance across the stage and see how others are reacting to what is unfolding.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Global Turmoil Cannes is unfolding against the backdrop of one of the world’s most geopolitically tense moments in recent decades, amid the Iran-US war, Israel’s military action in Lebanon and Gaza as well as the Russia-Ukraine war.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 May 2026
The scenes are unfolding in Colombia’s Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, a vast coastal wetland on the Caribbean coast about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the city of Santa Marta.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Dwinal-Palisch notes that these two dynamics, advancing automation and narrowing entry points, are unfolding alongside another development that moves in a different direction.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Puig’s baseball comeback is unfolding under a pretty massive legal cloud.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
This access to immediacy — our ability to be there as history is unfolding — much of that is possible, thanks to the vision of CNN founder Ted Turner.
—NPR, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
Verb
-
With revenue-sharing challenges mounting across college athletics — and some schools already cutting sports — expanding the playoff has become a potential financial lifeline.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
According to Abbott's office, the Texas Department of Public Safety is immediately expanding the Texas Repeat Offender Taskforce to the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin metropolitan areas.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Amazon is evolving its strategy as the e-commerce industry grapples with the rise of AI shopping bots.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
-
But the situation is rapidly evolving and things could change.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
For a continuous bloom all summer, select a repeat-blooming variety such as 'Endless Summer' that will flower on both old and new growth.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
-
Artificial psychedelic imagery, from brightly colored paint mixed together to blooming black roses, also recur throughout.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead of appearing clinical or corrective, the accessory can become part of self-expression and daily routine.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
According to the brothers, the home — despite appearing quite elegant, with its portico, white balustrade, five bedrooms, carved fireplaces and a music room — has long been in decay and would cost millions of dollars to restore.—
Eric Adler
May 12,
Kansas City Star,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
When the puck finally dropped on the fifth and deciding game of the semifinal series, Minnesota came out flying with yet another quick start, pinning Montreal into its own zone for most of the opening 10 minutes.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Haring, in fact, was one of the earliest artists to experiment with blending art and commerce, opening his famous Pop Shop in Lower Manhattan in 1986.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The review confirmed that the engine’s design, manufacturing process, as well as supply chain are progressing on schedule ahead of the next development phase later this year.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
-
The entire letter to the Jubilee committee offered an optimistic view of the future in which the human race was always progressing toward freedom.—
Marianne Holdzkom,
The Conversation,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In warmer Southern states, some varieties begin flowering as early as February.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
-
Low-maintenance and adaptable dogwood trees can be beautiful home landscape additions, especially when the flowering varieties are in bloom.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
However, there is no definitive national ranking from 2013 showing Los Angeles and New York City tied as the safest big cities in the country.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Fourth, epidemiologists suspect that hantavirus is most contagious when an infected person is showing symptoms, whereas SARS-CoV-2 can readily be transmitted by seemingly healthy people.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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