unravel

verb

un·​rav·​el ˌən-ˈra-vəl How to pronounce unravel (audio)
unraveled; unraveling; unravels

transitive verb

1
a
: to disengage or separate the threads of : disentangle
b
: to cause to come apart by or as if by separating the threads of
2
: to resolve the intricacy, complexity, or obscurity of : clear up
unravel a mystery

Examples of unravel in a Sentence

Scientists are still unraveling the secrets of DNA. Their plans unraveled when she lost her job. His frequent absences from home caused his marriage to unravel. I feel like my life is unraveling.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
China Syndrome Watching Eric unravel over product placement is the most fun The Franchise has had since the pilot. Britina Cheng, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2024 Netflix will attempt to unravel an 18-year-old mystery surrounding the death of Nora Dalmasso, a mother of two who was found strangled in her home in an affluent Argentinian city. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024 On the whole, what is remarkable about Germany in World War II is the ideological cohesion among the military rather than any incoherence, something tightened by the initial victories and unraveling only at the very end, in 1944 and 1945. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024 Their conversation unraveled myths surrounding estrogen therapy, touched on the legacy of the infamous Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study and emphasized the urgent need for better access to menopause care. Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unravel 

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unravel was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near unravel

Cite this Entry

“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unravel

verb
un·​rav·​el ˌən-ˈrav-əl How to pronounce unravel (audio)
ˈən-
1
: to separate the threads of : disentangle
unravel a snarl
2
: solve
unravel a mystery
3
: to become unraveled

More from Merriam-Webster on unravel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!