1
as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area carefully unfold that antique map so that it doesn't tear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to evolve
to gradually become clearer or more detailed as the situation unfolded, it became clear that more help would be needed the movie became more interesting once the mystery began to unfold

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to bloom
to produce flowers the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

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 unfold How did all of the events in our life unfold to put us here at the inauguration of our president? Janelle Ash, Fox News, 22 Jan. 2025 Then management failure for the intensity of the workload and intensity remaining the same despite the unfolding crisis. Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 A lot still has to unfold for the Bears in the months ahead — in roster building, in quarterback development — for Johnson to get the offense humming. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025 In 1898, a birthright citizenship case unfolded in the U.S. Supreme Court. Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for unfold 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold
Verb
  • But the brothers were working to expand the movement.
    Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Refrigerate the mixture for a few hours or overnight to allow the seeds to gel and expand.
    Jillian Kubala, RD, Health, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Today: What pandas can tell us about politics Scholars have noted that China's panda strategy has evolved over the decades from strategic gift-giving to a financial transaction to, as of recent years, a symbol of trade relationships.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
  • When Tucson Dragway closed its doors, Reinhart's part-time announcing duties at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix evolved into a full-time role, thanks to an offer from track manager Joe Thaden.
    John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Production in those countries is blooming right now.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Anyone can enter camellia blooms for the show or browse from the plant sale.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Trump's decision to exit Afghanistan was finalized in February 2020 as ISIS' global power appeared to be waning.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Between April 2019 and June 2019, additional photos allegedly appeared on the FBI's forensic report, according to court filings.
    Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The urban core, Howard explained, extends from Independence Avenue down to 63rd Street, and from Interstate 435 to Troost Avenue.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Attempts to make up for this by extending the cooking time may lead to overcooked or dried-out food.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After delivering the iconic line, Montgomery’s confidence in the role grew.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Theater exclusive at $62 million, the total will grow.
    Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Different varieties flower from fall to early spring.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
  • After decades dominated by one or two stars –Herbie Mann in the 1960s, Hubert Laws and Bobbi Humphrey in the ‘70s, and James Newton in the ‘80s — the flute has fully flowered in jazz since the ‘90s, led by Baum, Nicole Mitchell, Ali Ryerson and most recently Berkeley-reared Elena Pinderhughes.
    Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Images from the scene show Lancaster Township Fire Department surrounding the two-story house as smoke billows from the roof, firefighters swarming the inside and outside of the structure.
    Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Kuleba urged the British government, and Lammy, to rediscover the diplomatic zest that the U.K. had shown in the early months of the invasion.
    Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near unfold

Cite this Entry

“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfold. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unfold

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!