UNRAVELING Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

unraveling

verb

present participle of unravel

as in fraying

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

as in solving

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 unraveling The episode became a turning point, unraveling diplomacy that had largely preserved the informal truce and halted Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. — Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 Metalpoint is delicate by comparison with ink, almost weblike; but in both cases, the drawings are unraveling clusters and skeins, with passages both tight and loose. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 In spite of Desiree's civil case unraveling in 2013, public suspicion continued to follow Terri. — Eileen Murphy, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Terrill pointed to the purchase of the Grass Campus as the pivotal decision in the federation’s unraveling. — Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 Even so, Sepahvand, now director at Daric Investment Group, said Iran's economy is indeed deteriorating under the weight of mounting sanctions — but far from unraveling. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 Now researchers are using advanced imaging technology to look at the narwhal’s tusk in unprecedented detail—studying it in the hope of unraveling some of its mysteries. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026 Alex Cooper seems intent on unraveling some of the current relationships that have helped underpin her production company, Unwell. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026 There must be aspirational elements, typically wealthy characters wearing Brunello Cucinelli while emotionally unraveling in Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchens. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unraveling

Verb

Social cohesion is fraying, and crime is rising, while plunging birth rates and emigration warp Cuba’s demographics.

— Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026
Despite fraying relations with FIFA, the vibe once the sport began was largely good.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of fraying

Verb

But turning every food in the kitchen into a protein delivery system isn’t solving the bigger gaps in most American diets.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Unveiling the Unknown Wanderer The key to solving the mystery of Betkouski’s identity turned out to be an actual key.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of solving

Verb

Cutting Iran off completely from the UAE could deal a serious blow to the Islamic Republic’s economy — but experts say disentangling the pair’s commercial ties could prove difficult.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026
New characters and backstory details are dropped in before existing loose ends are tied up, resulting in unclear motivations and convoluted layers of subplot that, ultimately, do not prove relevant enough to have been worth disentangling.

— Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of disentangling

Verb

Visitors may find winery owners and winemakers working directly with customers behind the tasting bar, answering questions about the wine and talking about farming.

— Melissa May, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Since 2018, Hialeah’s libraries operated as their own independent city department, answering directly to the mayor and council rather than sitting under a larger agency.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of answering

Verb

Over half of retailers surveyed said self-service solutions are resolving key customer pain points related to store navigation, product selection and price verification.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
The statement was made as Plymouth County prosecutors weigh whether to retry Clancy, while her attorneys have also raised the prospect of resolving the case without a second jury trial.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of resolving

Verb

The appellate panel voiced serious doubts about undoing the consent decree at oral arguments in June.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
That jar of retinol on your nightstand only works if the rest of your evening habits are not undoing it.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of undoing

Verb

With power out to multiple customers, Duquesne Light crews also had their hands full, tasked with untangling the multiple fallen wires, some of which were ripped from buildings.

— Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
To try Cruz’s favorite technique yourself, start by untangling the cables in your desk drawer.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of untangling

Browse Nearby Words

unraveled

unraveling

unravels

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“Unraveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unraveling. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unraveling

verb

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