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
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
But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal and power.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Jan. 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
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
Gael García Bernal and Matthew Macfadyen co-star in a story that slowly unravels.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
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
But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal and power.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Jan. 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
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
Gael García Bernal and Matthew Macfadyen co-star in a story that slowly unravels.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 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
-
Interestingly, this led to the creation of a lightweight, solid material that solves a major recycling headache of mattresses.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The inspiring monkey brain Theilman and Aimone assert that the brain routinely solves similar problems.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The settlement resolves creditor disputes and sets the stage for a potential cleanup, with an investor already negotiating to acquire the property.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The simulations relied on direct numerical simulation, a method that resolves all relevant turbulence scales without using modeling assumptions.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Appearing at a virtual news conference, Crew 12 answers questions from reporters while in pre-flight quarantine at the Kennedy Space Center.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Moreover, First American Home Warranty has a user-friendly website, an exhaustive resource library, and an FAQ page that answers many homeowner questions.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a result, the product hardens, strengthens, and smooths brittle, peeling nails.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Sea buckthorn oil helps prevent breakage, while saffron smooths the hair cuticle to minimize frizz and fight humidity.—
Sarah Hoffmann,
Allure,
7 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 13 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
