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 Virginia bluebell buds are also unfolding into pink dangling flowers.
—
Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Advertisement That tension is unfolding as Congress returns from a two-week recess, having been largely absent from the most volatile early phase of the conflict.
—Nik Popli, Time, 14 Apr. 2026
And the decisions — the ones that will ultimately shape this team — are still unfolding behind closed doors.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
The scene unfolding outside the office building was loaded with juxtapositions.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Legal fight and political tension The dispute is also unfolding against a backdrop of legal and political tension.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Something remarkably similar and just as spectacular is unfolding in cycling today.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Apatow brings this thoughtful Sagittarius curiosity to the role, highlighting Lexi's wisdom and desire to make sense of the chaos unfolding all around her.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Webbing from grand facades were narrow streets where cats sunned in doorways and artisans claimed corners for their craft, unfolding a space of inclusive second chances.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Advertisement That tension is unfolding as Congress returns from a two-week recess, having been largely absent from the most volatile early phase of the conflict.
—Nik Popli, Time, 14 Apr. 2026
And the decisions — the ones that will ultimately shape this team — are still unfolding behind closed doors.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
The scene unfolding outside the office building was loaded with juxtapositions.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Legal fight and political tension The dispute is also unfolding against a backdrop of legal and political tension.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Something remarkably similar and just as spectacular is unfolding in cycling today.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Apatow brings this thoughtful Sagittarius curiosity to the role, highlighting Lexi's wisdom and desire to make sense of the chaos unfolding all around her.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Webbing from grand facades were narrow streets where cats sunned in doorways and artisans claimed corners for their craft, unfolding a space of inclusive second chances.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
Verb
-
The executive director of Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District provided a statement, saying the wharf is evolving, new businesses are opening, and the area is expanding in ways that make Fisherman's Wharf more accessible and engaging.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
These are jobs not created, customers not served, communities that don’t reap the benefits of expanding local business.—
Walter Rowen,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Khartiia’s focus on rapidly evolving technologies has drawn attention beyond Ukraine’s borders.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Public spaces are also evolving.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These are plants that require two years of care to establish themselves before blooming.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
In the Public Garden, buds were blooming on trees and people took in the sunshine.—
Matt Stone,
Boston Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the livestream, Peters is seen speaking with the young woman while appearing to be under the influence and exhibiting slurred speech.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Page Match began appearing on Spotify back in February.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This desktop app provides a faster way to access Lens than opening your browser, and Google's marketing materials show the tool proving useful for someone identifying a piece of classic artwork in a PDF.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Shortly after the opening bell, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index was seen trading broadly flat, with regional bourses and sectors painting a mixed picture.—
Joseph Wilkins,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The ongoing test campaign, which now includes multiple aircraft, is progressing rapidly.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Everyone on the operations team worked incredibly hard to keep the survey progressing with high efficiency.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And just five minutes away, oceanfront walking paths are set alongside rare, flowering maritime meadows that grow abundant in the salty Salish Sea air.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Keep plants in this ideal growth stage by cutting them back regularly before flowering.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Though the arrest took place in 2023, the case faced new scrutiny in March after a video of the altercation — showing her yelling, putting Mortensen in a headlock and throwing chairs at him while a child could be heard crying — was published by TMZ.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Social media users speculated that the tour’s cancellation was due to low ticket sales, with Ticketmaster seating charts in some stadiums showing very few seats sold.—
Katie Simons,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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