unfolds

present tense third-person singular of unfold
1
as in expands
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area carefully unfold that antique map so that it doesn't tear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in evolves
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
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 unfolds As the funeral unfolds, however, the village’s dark secrets slowly emerge. John Hopewell, Variety, 25 June 2026 With valuations and expectations running high, there’s bound to be some volatility as the AI economy unfolds. Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 As the tournament unfolds, the most decisive factor on the field may not be tactics, fitness or even talent. Carlos Roa, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026 The novel unfolds like an oral storytelling tradition, driven by a voice that Sarris painstakingly crafted, evoking his conversation with McKay. Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026 Meanwhile, Grier has also engineered a path to nab one of the top defenders in this rich blue-line class, most probably Daxon Rudolph, if the board unfolds as widely expected, by acquiring the ninth pick. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 24 June 2026 The team will hold a free watch party Tuesday at Golden 1 Center, giving fans an opportunity to assemble as the first round unfolds on Day 1 of the draft. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026 Cancer care is special in a way that unfolds over time, often over months, even years. Khushali Jhaveri, STAT, 17 June 2026 And if the day unfolds just right? Julie Jordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolds
Verb
  • The tax law also expands Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in shorter-term workforce training programs.
    Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • The temporary rule expands that list to 29 specific degree programs, including master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, and doctor of nurse anesthesia practice.
    Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • In a separate Psychology Today piece, Julieta Zemla explores how scent can shift in meaning as a relationship evolves, drawing on research that links smell to stress regulation between partners.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
  • Over time, this structure evolves in today’s ESOPs.
    Mary Josephs, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • This plant flowers year-round and, like all abutilon cultivars, is not water needy.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That appears to be what gave Weiser the edge to defeat Bennet in what started as an uphill battle due largely to name recognition.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • McKinney’s name appears on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines, one of 36,286 service members who were lost or never recovered during the war in the Pacific.
    Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Steady effort opens a surprisingly easy door.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
  • November 22 – December 21 Steady effort opens a surprisingly easy door.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • The sky may be clear during the day, especially in the areas far from the water, but coastal fog is expected to spread far overnight and in the early mornings as the week progresses.
    Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
  • This evolution progresses from personal assistance to agentic AI, then multi-agent systems, and finally autonomous enterprise AI, unlocking exponential productivity gains.
    Larry English, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • This is typically done in the spring or summer, before the plant blooms.
    Heather Bien, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
  • The city blooms with bikers, picnickers, runners, and walkers, and cafés push their tables out to the sidewalk.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Gallup research shows that managers account for at least 70% of the variance in team engagement across organizations.
    Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • An Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis shows the executive spent roughly three-quarters of that — more than $83 million — on television and cable advertising.
    Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Unfolds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolds. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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