as in expanding
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 unfurling
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
Since then, changes have started unfurling at the entertainment and retail center.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 19 Jan. 2026
Hardly out of her teens, Anna Christopherson is a Swedish immigrant, brought by her mother to Minnesota as a young child while her father, Chris (Brian d’Arcy James, unfurling in the role as if it were written for him), was constantly away at sea.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
The source of her excitement was the slip of paper that Shaquille O’Neal was unfurling ahead on a panel of television screens, signifying arguably the most-favorable draw for the Americans.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2025
Video published by the Kremlin on Monday and geolocated by CNN shows Russian soldiers unfurling a Russian flag in Pokrovsk’s city center, an area which has been under Moscow’s control for some time.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
There is barely time for introductions before the women at Inaash Association are proudly unfurling their work for me.
—Amelia Dhuga, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Focusing on Harlem in New York City, Checker tracks the role of public green spaces in New York’s social reform and urban renewal eras from the nineteenth century to the present, unfurling a history of contestation regarding public spaces including Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park.
—JSTOR Daily, 14 Nov. 2025
The cords gave way, unfurling in one dazzling thrust the release of the entire Fence.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Since then, changes have started unfurling at the entertainment and retail center.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 19 Jan. 2026
Hardly out of her teens, Anna Christopherson is a Swedish immigrant, brought by her mother to Minnesota as a young child while her father, Chris (Brian d’Arcy James, unfurling in the role as if it were written for him), was constantly away at sea.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
The source of her excitement was the slip of paper that Shaquille O’Neal was unfurling ahead on a panel of television screens, signifying arguably the most-favorable draw for the Americans.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2025
Video published by the Kremlin on Monday and geolocated by CNN shows Russian soldiers unfurling a Russian flag in Pokrovsk’s city center, an area which has been under Moscow’s control for some time.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
There is barely time for introductions before the women at Inaash Association are proudly unfurling their work for me.
—Amelia Dhuga, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Focusing on Harlem in New York City, Checker tracks the role of public green spaces in New York’s social reform and urban renewal eras from the nineteenth century to the present, unfurling a history of contestation regarding public spaces including Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park.
—JSTOR Daily, 14 Nov. 2025
The cords gave way, unfurling in one dazzling thrust the release of the entire Fence.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfurling
Verb
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Camp Lucy, a Texas Wine Country resort, is also expanding with the debut of Folklore, a new spa experience blending wellness, color therapy and social connection.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Levine Cava also pointed to Miami-Dade's expanding economy, fueled in part by major international events such as Formula One races at Hard Rock Stadium and upcoming FIFA World Cup matches.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In fact, extending the lives of the sick and elderly can impose net costs on society’s ledgers, costs which government regulatory analyses typically ignore.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The court said the injunction effectively amounted to a universal injunction by extending relief to a sweeping, uncertified class of protesters and observers.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Much of the excitement is unfolding along the Nile.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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However, a new CNBC poll shows some CEOs and executives have kept quiet about the events unfolding in Minneapolis, reflecting that many leaders across the country are still considering the situation — and the risks of making public comments.—
Sharon Epperson,Stephanie Dhue,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Or another extreme swing of the pendulum, guided by the ultrawealthy closing and opening their wallets?—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
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Cooking down the chicory to the point of jamminess is an eye-opening approach that reveals a world of options beyond salad.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfurling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfurling. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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