unravel

verb

ˌən-ˈra-vəl How to pronounce unravel (audio)
Definition of unravelnext
1
as in to fray
to separate the various strands of it took us forever to unravel the jumbled mass of Christmas tree lights

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning unraveled the mystery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 unravel As the statisticians looked up the last time someone had lost the Wimbledon men’s final from such a position (John Bromwich in 1948), Djokovic could have unraveled. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 July 2026 But if the agreement were ever to unravel completely, consumers would likely feel the consequences quickly through higher prices on cars, food, and other everyday products that currently move freely across North American borders. — Nik Popli, Time, 2 July 2026 According to Ayaub, the genealogist unraveled the mystery and ultimately helped the family connect with Violet Christine’s daughter. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 According to Afrobarometer, the most reliable surveyor of African public opinion, before EPRDF rule began to unravel in 2016 , African public opinion was largely favorable towards China. — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unravel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unravel
  1. fray
  2. solve
  3. untangle
  4. resolve
  5. disentangle
  6. answer
  7. untwist
  8. unsnarl
Verb
  • Now, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton present a stark choice to voters in the race to be the next governor at a moment when public support for the state’s generous safety net is starting to fray.
    — Christine Mai-Duc, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • The same fear of a fraying dollar system is driving Russia and others toward bitcoin and pushing Wall Street to treat which reserve asset wins as a live question.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of fray
Verb
  • Now back in King’s Landing, Corlys is distracted at best, meeting with Rhaenyra’s small council to address the crown’s nonexistent funds — the latest on a long list of problems that need solving for the new Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
    — Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • Proponents argue recordings would solve a long-standing crisis that leaves many proceedings with no verbatim record.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of solve
Verb
  • The latest twist comes as Dakar seeks to untangle itself from a debt crisis that has plagued its economy since 2024, when the government uncovered billions of dollars in undisclosed loans, forcing the IMF to suspend lending.
    — Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 1 July 2026
  • But Charter already has more debt coming in line for its Cox takeover, and the regulatory process for Comcast would be a nightmare to untangle (at the state level, if not the federal level), so maybe the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026
Definition of untangle
Verb
  • Whoever is charged with handling the issue must have the tools and authority to resolve it.
    — Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Our study helps resolve this paradox by providing evidence that scratching also provides defense against bacterial skin infections.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of resolve
Verb
  • These models are designed to disentangle the relationship between color and extinction status.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
  • On Sunday, June 14, the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) disentangled a relatively small humpback whale after recreational boaters spotted the animal anchored in fishing gear in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary late that morning, CCS said in a press release.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Definition of disentangle
Verb
  • The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming, ready to answer any questions guests might have about a cocktail menu that changes throughout the year.
    — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • These businesses live or die by people answering phones, booking jobs, chasing payments and calming down upset customers.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of answer
Verb
  • If the testicle is not untwisted within hours, it can be lost.
    — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • Daily untwisted the beer bottle cap, poured it into his shoe, and took a healthy swig, standing up for dramatic effect.
    — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026
Definition of untwist
Verb
  • How to unsnarl the emotions that play tug-of-war with our souls?
    — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
  • During the recent supply-chain crisis, XPO helped unsnarl bottlenecks for customers in several industries.
    — Joann S. Lublin, Time, 27 Nov. 2022
Definition of unsnarl

Browse Nearby Words

unquietness
unravel
unraveled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unravel. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unravel for Spanish Speakers

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