UNFOLDS Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

unfolds

verb

present tense third-person singular of unfold

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

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

as in flowers

to produce flowers the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in appears

to come into view the majestic landscape unfolded before us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Related Stories The story unfolds at a toll booth station, where Rajji and her co-workers move through the same days on repeat. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 Read about how that staging unfolds during the epic rumble scene near the end of the show. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Set in 2012, eighteen years after the genocide against the Tutsi, the film unfolds in a Rwandan village where survivors and perpetrators are grappling with the process of reconciliation. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 But as the day unfolds, Holloman, Charles, and Lugo start to open up about their lives on Rikers Island. — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 8 Oct. 2026 The film unfolds during an unusually fraught winter for Mihai and Lisbet Gheorghiu (Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve), a Christian couple who have just moved with their five children from Bucharest to a tiny village on the Norwegian coast. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026 Against the backdrop of a gruesome day, the Hebrew-language movie unfolds individual emotions and lives both before and during the attack, everyday problems of course not stopping with the tragedy, just interacting with it. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 Much of their relationship unfolds sweetly over Zoom calls while Peter, aka Petya, operates out of Vienna with Natalia still in Ukraine. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026 Livestreaming integration allows for tracking wagers in the app as the action unfolds. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolds

Verb

In April 2026, the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee found that advanced AI had not yet been adopted in a way that presented systemic risk but warned that risks could increase rapidly as deployment expands.

— Swati Deepak Kumar, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
The new law expands California’s definition of who is a resident under state sales tax law in an effort to weed out phony shell companies, making a company liable for state taxes when at least one member of the business is a California resident.

— Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

When the business evolves faster than the team’s skills, execution can look productive while progress quietly slows.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Characters, environments, performances and production choices need to remain coherent as the project evolves.

— Partner Content, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of evolves

Verb

There is a lot of money in the market, but some of it appears to be receding and the number of commissions is coming down.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
And because of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act passed earlier this year, the company appears to be on track to have taxpayers foot the bill.

— H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of appears

Verb

If the festival opens, food and beverage service will be limited, the children’s area will not be available and portions of the park may be wet or muddy.

— Yvonne Zusel, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Below that, the main deck features a large lounge and dining area that opens to the spacious aft deck.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of opens

Verb

As the day progresses and the vibe moves from business to pleasure, guests drift out to the outdoor terrace at La Lo La Rooftop with panoramic vistas, twinkling festoon lighting, and a menu of tapas and cocktails.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
But that’s largely due to the aural sensation provided by the voices, which become more powerful and prominent as the film progresses, dragging Jamal down with them.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of progresses

Verb

There, wisteria blooms on trellises, raspberries ripen on bushes, a cold-plunge pool commands sweeping views of downtown Manhattan—and a chicken coop looms in the corner.

— Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026
Still, Under Story is about the devastation of a life that breaks down and the miracle of the life that blooms from those ashes.

— Chloe Benjamain, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of blooms

Verb

Whether Apple is actually preparing that product is besides the point, Luria added that just the possibility shows how limited Oura’s competitive position could be against a company that controls the entire iPhone ecosystem.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
The scale of the award also shows where the manufacturing bottleneck can sit inside a missile program.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of shows

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unfolding

unfolds

unforced

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“Unfolds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolds. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unfolds

verb

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