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
Rows and rows of these large, double-petaled flowers will be unfolding over the coming weeks in 13 shades from pink and red to yellow and orange.
—
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 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
The villagers reveal more about their lives, with sweet romantic scenes and poignant moments unfolding around the town.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
The Stolen Girl series follows a mother whose young daughter goes missing after a sleepover, unfolding into a story of deception, family secrets, and betrayal.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
For weeks now, military assets have been surging to the Middle East -- a show of force unfolding alongside high-level, high-stakes diplomatic discussions aimed at reaching an agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program and extract other concessions from the regime.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Steve Marcus | Reuters A new race to secure critical minerals is unfolding across the global economy.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
Several billion-dollar CEOs recently spoke to Fortune about how fears of AI job displacement are overblown, while acknowledging that human jobs will have to change in response to the unfolding revolution.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
The meetings unfolding inside the White House regarding Iran reflect a broader tension between political objectives and military realities.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 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
The villagers reveal more about their lives, with sweet romantic scenes and poignant moments unfolding around the town.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
The Stolen Girl series follows a mother whose young daughter goes missing after a sleepover, unfolding into a story of deception, family secrets, and betrayal.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
For weeks now, military assets have been surging to the Middle East -- a show of force unfolding alongside high-level, high-stakes diplomatic discussions aimed at reaching an agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program and extract other concessions from the regime.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Steve Marcus | Reuters A new race to secure critical minerals is unfolding across the global economy.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
Several billion-dollar CEOs recently spoke to Fortune about how fears of AI job displacement are overblown, while acknowledging that human jobs will have to change in response to the unfolding revolution.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
The meetings unfolding inside the White House regarding Iran reflect a broader tension between political objectives and military realities.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
Verb
-
In his closing remarks at the congress, Kim doubled down on expanding the nation’s nuclear arsenal.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The company currently has 282 active customers and are expanding each day.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The drills are largely computer-simulated and designed to test the allies’ joint operational capabilities while incorporating evolving war scenarios and security challenges.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Director Phelim McDermott, co-founder of Improbable, said beginning a new chapter with fresh company members felt both exciting and moving after a year of the show evolving in the West End.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This relative of catnip (Nepeta cataria) has some of the same bewitching effects on cats, but this species has more attractive flowers, blooming from May until September.—
Angela England,
The Spruce,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Pruning is usually done at specific times of the year, typically while a plant is dormant, before new growth emerges in spring, or once the blooming cycle of a plant is done for the season.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Oakland police suspected McGee to be one of the shooters after video emerged of him appearing to wear the same clothing as one of the gunmen during the mass shootout at Lake Merritt.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
But appearing twice on camera while trying to avoid identification isn’t careful.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has reversed Biden-era clean energy policies, slashing solar and wind funding, ending EV tax credits and opening the Pacific Coast to oil drilling.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Wargnier, who got the save in San Clemente’s season-opening win over Capistrano Valley Christian, allowed zero earned runs in four innings with just three hits allowed.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Antonia Noori Farzan Providence's snow removal efforts are also progressing slowly because heavy-duty equipment is in short supply, Mayor Brett Smiley said in a video posted on Tuesday.—
Eryn Dion,
The Providence Journal,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Dane announced last year that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a rare but swiftly progressing neurodegenerative disease.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At Anza-Borrego Desert State Park east of San Diego, more than 90 plant families, hundreds of genera and countless flowering species lie beneath the soil, some of which have been shown to remain viable for hundreds of years.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
If the gift recipient doesn’t mind a bright print, opt for the flowering paisley goji berry, marked down to just $43.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
North Korea on Saturday released pictures showing leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter at a rifle range, the latest propaganda images to promote the child touted as a potential successor.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Each team was sequestered in its own area, well out of the eyesight of the others, and each serving a different role set behind a separate nest of monitors, showing nine different camera angles of the action taking place.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
