1
as in frays
to separate the various strands of
it took us forever to unravel the jumbled mass of Christmas tree lights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solves
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 unravels
Cue the Mayhem Ball, the pop star’s eighth concert tour, where Lady Gaga rises from a sand pit populated with skeletons, scales up a dress the size of a multi-story apartment building, and unravels the longest gown train a bride could ever dream of.
—
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Gael García Bernal and Matthew Macfadyen co-star in a story that slowly unravels.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
In the aftermath, Eve seeks out answers, but only unravels a far more disturbing secret.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
His first ever case unravels a globe-trotting conspiracy that changes his life forever.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 Dec. 2025
What begins as a dream job quickly unravels into a nightmare as Mafu starts to question his mentor’s methods.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Across six episodes, the series follows Tea (Clara Dessau), a police cadet turned undercover operative, whose mission to infiltrate a criminal network slowly unravels her sense of loyalty and self.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Gael García Bernal and Matthew Macfadyen co-star in a story that slowly unravels.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
In the aftermath, Eve seeks out answers, but only unravels a far more disturbing secret.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
His first ever case unravels a globe-trotting conspiracy that changes his life forever.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 Dec. 2025
What begins as a dream job quickly unravels into a nightmare as Mafu starts to question his mentor’s methods.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Across six episodes, the series follows Tea (Clara Dessau), a police cadet turned undercover operative, whose mission to infiltrate a criminal network slowly unravels her sense of loyalty and self.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unravels
Verb
-
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The key is matching the debt relief strategy to your specific situation rather than assuming bankruptcy automatically solves everything.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Whether you’re headed to work, church, or a date night, the Gym People midi skirt solves all of your outfit woes.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bahari Makmur Sejati has been placed on an import alert, which prevents any of their food products from entering the United States until the company resolves any conditions that could have caused the exposure.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
23 Dec. 2025
-
The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by James Campbell and the Liberty Justice Center after Campbell was removed from an April 15, 2024 board meeting and banned from attending meetings for 90 days.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Plus, an expert PEOPLE editor answers the burning question of the week, and one of our favorite stars joins us for a sitdown.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The assistant answers questions related to machine operation, maintenance, parts, and troubleshooting.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, this design element slims and smooths the waist, so not only is the denim an optical illusion, but so is the sculpting panel.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Spanx’s signature 360-degree panel smooths and supports through the tummy and waist for a flattering fit, and even eliminates waistband folding—ideal for a long-haul flight.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Reversing the voltage undoes the process.—
Perri Thaler,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 Nov. 2025
-
The measure also gives judges the authority to order people with multiple drug charges into rehab and undoes some of the changes the state made a decade ago through Proposition 47.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unravels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unravels. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
