Synonyms of unfolding

unfolding

verb

present participle of unfold

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

• expanding
• opening
• extending
• unfurling
• spreading (out)
• stretching (out)
• flaring (out)
• fanning (out)
• outspreading
• outstretching
• overspreading

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closing
• folding
• contracting
• reducing
• condensing
• compressing
• compacting

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

• evolving
• progressing
• growing
• developing
• proceeding
• elaborating
• emerging
• blossoming
• maturing
• ripening
• marching
• forging
• getting along
• advancing
• getting on
• faring
• playing out
• materializing

3

as in blooming

to produce flowers

the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blooming
• flowering
• blossoming
• burgeoning
• blowing
• leaving
• efflorescing
• leafing
• budding
• opening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fading
• dying
• withering
• drying up
• dropping
• expiring
• wilting
• shriveling
• perishing

4

as in appearing

to come into view

the majestic landscape unfolded before us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appearing
• showing
• coming
• looming
• arriving
• rising
• happening
• materializing
• coming out
• emerging
• reappearing
• turning up
• showing up
• occurring
• erupting
• surfacing
• arising
• blossoming
• dawning
• resurfacing
• issuing
• bulking
• shooting (up)
• breaking out
• outcropping
• springing (up)
• breaking
• cropping (up)
• bobbing (up)
• debuting
• rematerializing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• going (away)
• vanishing
• disappearing
• dissolving
• evaporating
• fading
• melting (away)
• clearing
• leaving
• evanescing
• withdrawing
• departing
• retiring

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unfolding

The Ohio artist’s first album in four years is paranoid, indulgent, and theatrical, unfolding like a dark romantasy novel. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026

Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and several commissioners criticized the plan for linking county government with a video game that revels in violence unfolding in a fictional Miami. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

Russia’s occupying forces impose strict limits on who can enter Oleshky, and there was no news on how the humanitarian operation was unfolding. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Rahardjo’s next project is a creature feature unfolding in a countryside village in Indonesia. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026

Fans were held inside the stadium for hours while authorities dealt with the attacks unfolding around Paris that night. — Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Rooted in feminism and unfolding against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis, the works consider flesh and the human body with brutal honesty, viewing them as vessels for trauma, mortality, and political autonomy. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

The campaign is unfolding as the city contends with myriad urban ailments. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

In August 2023, a dramatic cable car emergency in Battagram in northern Pakistan captivated audiences around the world as footage of the unfolding rescue spread across TV and social media. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026