unfolds

Definition of unfoldsnext
present tense third-person singular of unfold
1
as in expands
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 evolves
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
4

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 unfolds Early conversations about money, time, or care may feel stretchy, but clarity softens bumps as the day unfolds. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026 When the pair walk into his old stomping grounds for a drink, a story of old flames unfolds in between shots of a solo Langley singing the song while two-stepping couples dance around her. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026 My Lover, the Rabbi unfolds in short chapters, with a rhapsodic, repetitive voice that echoes the work of the 20th-century Austrian madman Thomas Bernhard. Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026 The twisty story that unfolds next is a rare example of a thriller that has earned its classification. Sam Reed, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026 Plot details are under wraps but according to the spartan official synopsis, the psychological thriller unfolds in a seemingly idyllic and takes audiences on a vertiginous dive into the shifting limits of a sound mind, as grief and obsession take hold. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026 Most of that work unfolds before the cameras arrive. Adam Annaccone, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026 But as the month unfolds, your desire for adventure intensifies. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026 For Florida, when a potentially challenge-worthy play unfolds on the court all eyes turn to Crist. Maura Carey, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolds
Verb
  • When this idea is diluted, government expands its ambition to curate the public’s consciousness.
    George F. Will, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
  • As artificial intelligence expands into classrooms, workplaces, and homes, a new coalition warns that risks to children and workers are growing faster than efforts to control the new technology.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Differing interpretations of dark matter’s meaning Some scientists, such as astrobiologist Adam Frank, warn that seeking sacredness in topics like dark matter might end in disappointment because science constantly evolves.
    Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
  • What Happens Next The White House has said no final decision has been made on deploying ground troops, but officials continue to face questions as the conflict evolves and costs mount.
    Steve Mollman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The video ends as the driver retrieves what appears to be a firearm from the street, before both men climb back onto the scooter and ride off-screen.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The president's decision to address the nation comes as public support for the conflict appears limited.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Mexican, a Dallas restaurant that Unesco named one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world, opens April 7 on Brickell Key with more than 10,000 square feet of space and room for over 330 diners.
    Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • His visit to Monaco is only his second outside Italy, ‌but opens what is expected to ​be a busy year of travel.
    Reuters, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • More service center locations may be added as the transition progresses, the USDA said.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • As the month progresses, your attention shifts closer to home.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The former blooms every 2-5 years for a week, and the latter produces a flower every year that blooms for a day.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Everything blooms on Written Into Changes, the second album by Avalon Emerson & the Charm.
    Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The video shows Woods being handcuffed after failing a sobriety test.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Scientific evidence shows that kratom carries real risks that are often downplayed or misunderstood.
    Andrew Kolodny, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This participatory element extends the exhibition beyond visual engagement, emphasizing process over permanence.
    Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Warren junior second baseman Lauren Jaronik agrees that Meno’s influence extends beyond her hitting and fielding.
    Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfolds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolds. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on unfolds

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster