Synonyms of unfolds

unfolds

verb

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

• expands
• opens
• extends
• unfurls
• spreads (out)
• stretches (out)
• flares (out)
• fans (out)
• outstretches
• outspreads
• overspreads

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closes
• folds
• contracts
• reduces
• condenses
• compresses
• compacts

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

• evolves
• progresses
• grows
• develops
• elaborates
• emerges
• proceeds
• matures
• ripens
• marches
• fares
• gets on
• advances
• materializes
• blossoms
• gets along
• plays out
• forges

3

as in flowers

to produce flowers

the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flowers
• blooms
• blossoms
• burgeons
• blows
• leaves
• effloresces
• opens
• buds
• leafs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fades
• dies
• expires
• dries up
• withers
• shrivels
• drops
• perishes
• wilts

4

as in appears

to come into view

the majestic landscape unfolded before us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appears
• shows
• comes
• arrives
• looms
• rises
• materializes
• reappears
• happens
• emerges
• comes out
• turns up
• shows up
• erupts
• occurs
• arises
• resurfaces
• surfaces
• dawns
• debuts
• blossoms
• breaks out
• crops (up)
• bulks
• springs (up)
• breaks
• shoots (up)
• issues
• outcrops
• bobs (up)
• rematerializes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disappears
• goes (away)
• dissolves
• fades
• vanishes
• evaporates
• clears
• melts (away)
• leaves
• departs
• withdraws
• retires
• evanesces

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unfolds

The bigger fall foliage show typically unfolds in late September and can stretch into early October, depending on the year. — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Watch as the action unfolds from East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, GA. — Data Skrive, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Taylor’s life unfolds as a grand, breathless narrative, and Heymann knows exactly how to keep the pages turning. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026

As her creative uncertainty grows, a strange mystery unfolds when a series of provocative and obscene artworks inexplicably disappear. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

From there, the floor plan unfolds without the interruptions of a typical apartment layout, allowing residents to walk around the perimeter and take in the city from nearly every direction. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026

The compact neck pillow unfolds and slips into its own convenient bag. — Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

One major bonus of a lunar eclipse is that each stage unfolds simultaneously for everyone on the night side of Earth, where the lunar disk is above the horizon. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Hickerson’s attorney, Sloan Ellis, cautioned against a rush to judgment as the investigation unfolds. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026