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
These writers unravel their own stories, enumerate the costs and consequences of the act of narration, with an avid, unsparing eye for distortion and error.
—
Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
Then, as now, the old international system was unraveling while a new world order remained unformed.
—Judd Devermont, Foreign Affairs, 27 June 2024
Years later, it was unraveled as nothing more than a hoax.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 24 June 2024
Now, research involving remote-sensing data and machine learning to map evidence of island farming offers a fresh clue that may help unravel the mysterious demise of the island’s original civilization.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unravel 
Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
Then, as now, the old international system was unraveling while a new world order remained unformed.
—Judd Devermont, Foreign Affairs, 27 June 2024
Years later, it was unraveled as nothing more than a hoax.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 24 June 2024
Now, research involving remote-sensing data and machine learning to map evidence of island farming offers a fresh clue that may help unravel the mysterious demise of the island’s original civilization.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unravel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unravel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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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