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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solves
to find an answer for through reasoning
unraveled the mystery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unravels
Their bid to cash in on the find quickly unravels into a dangerous pursuit, as smugglers and rivals close in and an unlikely band of companions, including a resourceful fish vendor and a volatile local troublemaker, get swept up in the mayhem.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
This spontaneous journey took me to Andalucía, the southernmost region of the Iberian Peninsula, with natural beauty that unravels like a cinematic masterpiece.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
His first ever case unravels a globe-trotting conspiracy that changes his life forever.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
In a riveting story, published in this week’s issue, Ava Kofman unravels the mystery of Guojun and Silvia’s strange and troubling project.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The Night Of unravels the yarn with lurid details and lots of plot twists.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Finn Bennett unravels Prince Aerion's unique brand of Mad Targaryen on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Directed by Spike Jonze — marking his first Super Bowl commercial in more than two decades — the ad stars actor, director and filmmaker Ben Stiller alongside multi-platinum artist Benson Boone as an retro European disco-pop duo whose partnership unravels in a mid-performance debacle.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The law blocks schools from expanding sports programs for male athletes at the expense of women, but that protection completely unravels when male athletes simply transfer their physical advantages into women’s sports.
—Alanna Smith, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
This spontaneous journey took me to Andalucía, the southernmost region of the Iberian Peninsula, with natural beauty that unravels like a cinematic masterpiece.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
His first ever case unravels a globe-trotting conspiracy that changes his life forever.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
In a riveting story, published in this week’s issue, Ava Kofman unravels the mystery of Guojun and Silvia’s strange and troubling project.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The Night Of unravels the yarn with lurid details and lots of plot twists.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Finn Bennett unravels Prince Aerion's unique brand of Mad Targaryen on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Directed by Spike Jonze — marking his first Super Bowl commercial in more than two decades — the ad stars actor, director and filmmaker Ben Stiller alongside multi-platinum artist Benson Boone as an retro European disco-pop duo whose partnership unravels in a mid-performance debacle.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The law blocks schools from expanding sports programs for male athletes at the expense of women, but that protection completely unravels when male athletes simply transfer their physical advantages into women’s sports.
—Alanna Smith, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
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
-
Try cleaning out your filter and emptying the bin to see if this solves the problem.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Adding lanes rarely solves the problem.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If that scenario plays out, the conversation around best picture resolves itself rather quickly.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2026
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If paying your debts will result in financial hardship, Priority may be able to delay payments until your situation resolves.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The film, without proving didactic, untangles the complications of finding appropriate care for someone with her cognitive disabilities, as Emily and Bob struggle with a healthcare system that isn’t set up to support people like her.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Humans remain uniquely capable of deciding which answers matter and why.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, the force that safeguards the Islamic Republic, answers directly to him.—
Suman Naishadham,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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An exfoliating serum that smooths the skin while also hydrating, its 10% concentration of lactic acid gently removes the dull outer layer of skin.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Olay Super Serum Body Wash for Normal Skin Olay Super Serum Body Wash is formulated with ingredients such as vitamin E, collagen peptide, vitamin C, niacinamide, and BHA, which combine to create a powerful formula that hydrates, firms, brightens, evens, and smooths the skin.—
Claire West,
Parents,
27 Feb. 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 6 Mar. 2026.
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