unravel
verb
un·rav·el
ˌən-ˈra-vəl 
unraveled; unraveling; unravels
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
: to become unraveled
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
The Bears’ defense unraveled last season after Billings suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 9.
—
Phil Rogers, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The world watched in utter shock as Tiger’s pristine image unraveled amid revelations of marital indiscretions.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
Erasing Joe Biden’s presidency meant, to begin with, unraveling his policies.
—Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
The suitcases had wobbly handles that frequently jammed, two wheels instead of four, and stitching that gradually unraveled after years of my relentless overpacking.
—Jasmine Grant, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
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Phil Rogers, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The world watched in utter shock as Tiger’s pristine image unraveled amid revelations of marital indiscretions.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
Erasing Joe Biden’s presidency meant, to begin with, unraveling his policies.
—Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
The suitcases had wobbly handles that frequently jammed, two wheels instead of four, and stitching that gradually unraveled after years of my relentless overpacking.
—Jasmine Grant, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unravel
verb
un·rav·el
ˌən-ˈrav-əl
ˈən-
1
: to separate the threads of : disentangle
unravel a snarl
2
: solve
unravel a mystery
3
: to become unraveled
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