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

In this particular case, one of many currently unfolding across the country, 19th Judicial District Court Judge Will Jorden in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, granted the plaintiffs a temporary restraining order in their lawsuit against the NCAA. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Television networks had broadcast the unfolding hostage situation live, and the violent end captivated the American public. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

No one seems bothered that nearly everyone has an Aussie accent, despite this film ostensibly unfolding 100 miles away from Los Angeles (the film was shot in Queensland). — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026

The oil deals are unfolding alongside Namibia’s push to build a multibillion dollar green industry. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

The elegance and restraint of Brittain and Kitamura’s narratives intensify the unfolding impact. — Anne E. Fernald, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

Joe Thuney took the high road Sunday afternoon, not revealing an ounce of worry about the left tackle rotation that has been unfolding around him for the past three weeks at Chicago Bears training camp. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

That repression is unfolding alongside the severe aid cuts, with overall humanitarian funding for Afghanistan falling nearly 70 percent since 2022. — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

The current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus, is unfolding in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026