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

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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

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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 The film unfolds as a lyrical meditation on long-distance love, personal ambition, and the delicate emotional gravity that holds people together. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2025 The incident unfolded on Saturday, May 31, at the Shanghai Disneyland Resort. Moná Thomas, People.com, 3 June 2025 So there is conflict for many when watching the celebrations unfold. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 June 2025 The forum unfolded against a backdrop of rising campus anxiety over immigration enforcement. Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfold
Verb
  • Now in its fourth year, Bleak Week is expanding across the country — and, via the Prince Charles Cinema, across the pond to London — to hold screenings at 11 venues in eight cities.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
  • Its first outpost opened in Jackson Hole in 2017, but the brand just expanded to Sedona, Arizona, to debut its second location.
    Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • The rise of the rearview camera: How backup cams changed driving for Americans Driver assistance and safety features have evolved over the past decade.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 5 June 2025
  • Director Kingsley described how the project evolved from its comedic roots.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Some flowers bloom at the beginning of spring, while others begin to flower at the end of the summer or early fall and can bloom for a couple of days or weeks.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
  • Visit in spring to avoid the worst of the crowds, and see the landscape awash in seasonal wildflower blooms.
    Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • The sculpture appears in the form of a glass cube, which glows with light that changes color based on live temperature data taken from the Hoh Rain Forest in near Seattle, Washington State.
    Lucy Handley, CNBC, 1 June 2025
  • Farrow, known for her breakout role in the film Rosemary’s Baby, previously appeared on Broadway in the 1979 production of Romantic Comedy, opposite Anthony Perkins, as well as two subsequent staged readings on Broadway and regional productions.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Flower food helps keep bacteria out of the water and extend the lifespan of your cut blooms.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
  • The consequences extend far beyond teachers themselves; students suffer the most.
    Lakeisha Wells Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • In the decades since, PEOPLE has grown to become the iconic brand it is known as today — expanding from a newsstand-only publication to now include digital news coverage and social media coverage, as well as a new app, among other ventures.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 June 2025
  • Messi has grown increasingly frustrated with Miami’s up-and-down form, though.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Another bonus of harvesting smaller fruit is that your plant will keep flowering and fruiting throughout the summer.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 May 2025
  • The best way to encourage months of flowering on French (bigleaf) and oakleaf hydrangeas is by pruning as little as possible.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • That same month, public records show East Carolina University entered an 18-month, $50,450 contract with Deloitte for consulting services related to its athletic department.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 1 June 2025
  • However, the High Priestess shows February being full of rest and healing, urging you to slow down and listen to your intuition… because your sixth sense is strong for a reason.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfold. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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