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
Synonyms
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
As Palisades Fire Expands East Apple Brings Back iPhone 15 Pro For First Time—At Lower Price
The Decline of Russia’s European Market
Russia’s dominance in Europe’s natural gas market began unraveling in late 2021, when Gazprom reduced supplies to the European spot market, triggering price spikes.
—
Robert Rapier, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
This series looked at the flaws that have unraveled the cases against Trump.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2025
Mark and his team of rebels—played by Britt Lower, John Turturro and Zach Cherry—begin to unravel a mystery that will force them all to confront the true nature of their work.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Covering the entertainment business is never boring, and 2025 is already shaping up to be another banger as business models that have been around for decades continue to evolve, erode and unravel.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unravel 
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Robert Rapier, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
This series looked at the flaws that have unraveled the cases against Trump.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2025
Mark and his team of rebels—played by Britt Lower, John Turturro and Zach Cherry—begin to unravel a mystery that will force them all to confront the true nature of their work.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Covering the entertainment business is never boring, and 2025 is already shaping up to be another banger as business models that have been around for decades continue to evolve, erode and unravel.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unravel
Dictionary Entries Near unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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