unravels

verb

present tense third-person singular of unravel
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

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 Interrupted by power outages, a relentlessly barking dog and the unexpected arrival of a celebrated composer, the conversation steadily unravels. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 Desperate struggles against the encroaching elements become a brief interlude before the situation unravels into a disaster of a different magnitude. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 Zendaya and Pattinson play an engaged couple whose relationship unravels after a confession over dinner. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 That’s about as pleasant as things ever get for Weir, whose sanity steadily unravels over the course of the film, culminating in one of its most potent scares. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026 Defense unravels late The Dodgers widened their lead to two runs but gave it up in the eighth on a pair of errors, including one on a sacrifice bunt. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 My new novel, Star-Crossed Summer, follows two young actors who fall in love while filming a movie set in a South Carolina beach town, only to be torn apart by fame, ambition and a secret that unravels everything. — Devon Daniels, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 Years later, Kang gets revenge by crafting a story that Mun-oh cannot turn away from, and that slowly unravels the professor’s life. — Kayti Burt, Time, 26 June 2026 The no-frills app also unravels any complex options for those who are looking for something that just keeps the sound simple. — Carlos Mejia, PC Magazine, 23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unravels
  1. frays
  2. solves
  3. untangles
  4. resolves
  5. smooths
  6. answers
  7. undoes
Verb
  • Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • The coalition of supporters frays Still another issue is conflict within the legalization movement itself, particularly between the business and activist wings.
    — William Garriott, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of frays
Verb
  • This is not a rebrand of Operations Research, which solves defined problems.
    — Carsten Polenz, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • What is far harder to replicate is a workforce that absorbs new tools quickly, solves problems unprompted and keeps improving after training ends.
    — Ayush Gupta, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of solves
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
Definition of untangles
Verb
  • The agreement reached Tuesday resolves federal civil rights lawsuits brought by Vernon Horn and Marquis Jackson against the city of New Haven, according to Mayor Justin Elicker and the firm that represented Horn.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The name resolves to the company, and the second bio reads like a corporate About page.
    — Ronn Torossian, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of resolves
Verb
  • This method smooths the rocks and rounds the edges, giving them a more polished look and feel.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • More than 100,000 of them just bought these Medicube toner pads, a K-beauty staple that gently exfoliates the skin, refines pores, and smooths skin texture for a more even complexion.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of smooths
Verb
  • Every interview answers three questions long before an employment contract is signed.
    — Alla Adam, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • How Tony would regard the film is a riddle that answers and negates itself, like his tattoo of a snake eating its own tail.
    — Laurie Woolever, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of answers
Verb
  • Like Sir Richard Branson himself, Virgin lets the hair grow long and undoes a few buttons while still making savvy business decisions, like a boss.
    — JP Brammer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • That's the part that undoes everything else, because outdoor advertising formats are not neutral delivery vehicles.
    — Adam Salacuse, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of undoes

Browse Nearby Words

unraveling
unravels
unreachable
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Cite this Entry

“Unravels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unravels. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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