unravel

verb

ˌən-ˈra-vəl How to pronounce unravel (audio)
Definition of unravelnext
1
as in to fray
to separate the various strands of it took us forever to unravel the jumbled mass of Christmas tree lights

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning unraveled the mystery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 unravel Kapoor’s world began to unravel that year as Location Ventures ousted Kapoor as CEO and appointed a judge to oversee liquidation of company assets. — Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 When the hotel's hurricane plan began to unravel The hotel looked prepared on paper. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Red tape, however, threatened to unravel the 12-show national trek, as Parton’s tour bus was found to flout the regulations. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026 Sumrall preaches discipline and accountability, two qualities sorely lacking as the tenures of Dan Mullen and Billy Napier unraveled. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unravel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unravel
  1. fray
  2. solve
  3. untangle
  4. resolve
  5. disentangle
  6. answer
  7. untwist
  8. unsnarl
Verb
  • Dark, fade-prone clothes should also be turned inside out, as abrasion from rubbing against other clothes can cause fibers to fray, making clothes look faded.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Amid competing global crises and shifting donor priorities, that safety net is fraying.
    — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fray
Verb
  • But Robert could help solve some of Toronto’s greatest issues.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • These layoffs are freeing up brilliant minds to solve real-world problems, creating new companies and an economy built on innovation beyond consumer apps.
    — Lisa Curtis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of solve
Verb
  • To try Cruz’s favorite technique yourself, start by untangling the cables in your desk drawer.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Japan, meanwhile, has spent the past several years untangling another mess.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of untangle
Verb
  • Commissioner Rob Manfred is credited with resolving these complex issues, a feat his predecessor Bud Selig couldn't achieve.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But if Ohtani doesn’t feel good enough to start Sunday, two extra days of rest probably aren’t to resolve the issue, making a longer leadup more likely.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of resolve
Verb
  • Financial intermediaries and criminal fraud enterprises are coming into closer proximity, which is making their activities harder to disentangle and disrupt.
    — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Cutting Iran off completely from the UAE could deal a serious blow to the Islamic Republic’s economy — but experts say disentangling the pair’s commercial ties could prove difficult.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of disentangle
Verb
  • Itauma had become a shell of the heavyweight who’d answered the opening bell with such vim and vigour.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Department representatives met with city council members during weekly budget hearings to present in-depth budget reports and answer questions from councilors.
    — Gabriel Brito, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of answer
Verb
  • If the testicle is not untwisted within hours, it can be lost.
    — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • Daily untwisted the beer bottle cap, poured it into his shoe, and took a healthy swig, standing up for dramatic effect.
    — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026
Definition of untwist
Verb
  • How to unsnarl the emotions that play tug-of-war with our souls?
    — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
  • During the recent supply-chain crisis, XPO helped unsnarl bottlenecks for customers in several industries.
    — Joann S. Lublin, Time, 27 Nov. 2022
Definition of unsnarl

Browse Nearby Words

unquietness
unravel
unraveled
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Cite this Entry

“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unravel. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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