as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area
after the protestors had unfurled their banner, it stretched from one side of the visitors' gallery to the other
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Recent Examples of unfurl
Cycling the Golden Gate Bridge is a rite of passage—where panoramic bay views unfurl beneath soaring red arches.
—
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
But my first pregnancy unfurled more like a horror movie.
—Leah Donnella, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Jan. 2026
The 12-hour time difference didn’t stop him from diving headfirst into the moment, jumping on the bed, playfully unfurling the pieces and directing camera cuts.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Amid the World Economic Forum’s confab in Davos, Switzerland—where coalition building and global cooperation are usually central themes—Trump unfurled a Western Hemisphere First school of thought that has roots in a Cold War understanding of geopolitical stasis.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfurl
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
But my first pregnancy unfurled more like a horror movie.
—Leah Donnella, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Jan. 2026
The 12-hour time difference didn’t stop him from diving headfirst into the moment, jumping on the bed, playfully unfurling the pieces and directing camera cuts.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Amid the World Economic Forum’s confab in Davos, Switzerland—where coalition building and global cooperation are usually central themes—Trump unfurled a Western Hemisphere First school of thought that has roots in a Cold War understanding of geopolitical stasis.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfurl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfurl
Verb
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Jennie headlined Coachella as a solo artist while expanding her fashion ventures.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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In recent years, auction houses have expanded their categories as luxury goods and collectibles have helped buoy their sales.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The bill extends current DHS funding levels for two weeks to allow talks over new accountability requirements for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other enforcement agencies.—
Eric Lau,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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Her life of service extended beyond medicine.—
Najahe Sherman,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At least 42 anti-ICE protesters were arrested Saturday after chaos unfolded outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, following a memorial for Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal agents last month.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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Webbing from grand facades were narrow streets where cats sunned in doorways and artisans claimed corners for their craft, unfolding a space of inclusive second chances.—
Marlise Kast-Myers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mark your calendar On Thursday, Malia scored another exclusive, reporting on LACMA’s announcement that the David Geffen Galleries, the pinnacle of a two-decade campus transformation, will officially open April 19.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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The hunt was opened to public, DIY hunting in 2020.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfurl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfurl. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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