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
But for most Palestinians, de-facto annexation is already unfolding daily.
—
Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Drama is unfolding behind the scenes of Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Should negotiations continue to fail, the shutdown will continue to affect federal employees, public services, air travel, and unfolding political dynamics.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Something is quietly unfolding beneath the surface this month, Sagittarius.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Despite the chaos unfolding around her, Pelosi never seemed like a leader in retreat.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
In Orange County, Proposition 50 is already unfolding in some early campaign drama for residents in California’s new 40th Congressional District in the eastern part of the county, including Rancho Santa Margarita and Villa Park.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
What Zuckerberg described—what is now unfolding—is the beginning of a new digital era, more actively anti-social than the last.
—Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2025
High-profile races are unfolding across the country on Tuesday, including New York City's mayoral election and governor's races in New Jersey and Virginia.
—ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Drama is unfolding behind the scenes of Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Should negotiations continue to fail, the shutdown will continue to affect federal employees, public services, air travel, and unfolding political dynamics.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Something is quietly unfolding beneath the surface this month, Sagittarius.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Despite the chaos unfolding around her, Pelosi never seemed like a leader in retreat.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
In Orange County, Proposition 50 is already unfolding in some early campaign drama for residents in California’s new 40th Congressional District in the eastern part of the county, including Rancho Santa Margarita and Villa Park.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
What Zuckerberg described—what is now unfolding—is the beginning of a new digital era, more actively anti-social than the last.
—Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2025
High-profile races are unfolding across the country on Tuesday, including New York City's mayoral election and governor's races in New Jersey and Virginia.
—ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
Verb
-
The concept is expanding into practice in the state as a solution to regional food distribution challenges.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Future work will focus on integrating snow-deposition modeling with PV yield simulations to more accurately predict energy losses and on expanding analyses to more complex, uneven alpine terrain.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
By combining Tailan’s battery expertise with Changan’s automotive manufacturing capabilities, the partnership positions both sides at the forefront of the evolving energy storage markets.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
College football is evolving, and the occasional high-profile quarterback drama will neither accelerate the process nor stop it.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In late spring, the Badlands transform with green grasses and blooming wildflowers, perfect for photographers and nature enthusiasts.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That included winning three of the last six Super Bowls while appearing in five of them, while also reaching the AFC Championship Game for seven consecutive seasons.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Wright has played at least one game with eight teams since making his NFL debut by appearing in three outings with Pittsburgh in 2020.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Per his release, the rapper must follow strict guidelines for the next five years, such as no alcohol, drug testing, and federal supervision when opening bank accounts.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
But a landmark land claims settlement in 1980 exempted Maine from federal Indian gaming laws, which has prevented the tribes from opening casinos on their lands.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Redick said LeBron James, who didn’t travel with the team for the five-game trip, has done one-on-one work with coaches so far, and that the team is progressing from there in light of James being cleared for contact basketball activities.—
Khobi Price,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But the turnaround under Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is still progressing nicely, driven by better execution on its 737 program.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Many spring-flowering shrubs, including lilacs, bigleaf hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and lilacs, bloom on what is referred to as old wood—flower buds that were formed during the previous summer or fall.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Right after flowering and before new growth begins is the right time to repot the Christmas cactus.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Byard studies a smartphone showing his year-old wishes for a new coach, those expressed to a reporter late last season, including disappointment that far too many missteps had been improperly dealt with.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Irvine Police Department (IPD) released footage showing what appears to be heavily armed officers foiling the brazen burglary as two suspects, dressed in black hoodies and face masks, attempted to flee with an armful of designer items.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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