unravel

American  

[uhn-rav-uhl] / ʌnˈræv əl /

verb (used with object)

unraveled, unraveling, unravelled, unravelling

1. to separate or disentangle the threads of (a woven or knitted fabric, a rope, etc.).

2. to free from complication or difficulty; make plain or clear; solve.

   to unravel a situation; to unravel a mystery.

3. Informal. to take apart; undo; destroy (a plan, agreement, or arrangement).

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verb (used without object)

unraveled, unraveling, unravelled, unravelling

1. to become unraveled.

unravel British  

/ ʌnˈrævəl /

verb

1. (tr) to reduce (something knitted or woven) to separate strands

2. (tr) to undo or untangle (something tangled or knotted)

3. (tr) to explain or solve

   the mystery was unravelled

4. (intr) to become unravelled

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Other Word Forms

• unraveler noun
• unraveller noun
• unravelment noun

Etymology

Origin of unravel

First recorded in 1595–1605; un- ² + ravel

Example Sentences

In recent days, much of what the grandson built has threatened to unravel.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lipsky expects economies that have already made deals to keep them rather than "risk unraveling an agreement which at least has provided some stability."

From Barron's

Can you unravel your own personal politics from your work?

From Los Angeles Times

Then she popped the final jump attempt, unraveling in the air and stopping short of the planned three revolutions.

From Los Angeles Times

The result is a grand experiment in leadership as companies grapple with the rise of AI and the unraveling of longtime trade practices.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• decipher
• resolve
• solve
• undo
• untangle