unravel

[uhn-rav-uhl]

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).

verb (used without object)

unraveled, unraveling , unravelled, unravelling .

1. to become unraveled.

unravel

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• unraveler noun
• unravelment noun
• unraveller noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unravel¹

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

Example Sentences

That part hasn’t been so easy for USC as it unraveled down the stretch in each of its last three seasons.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At a parlous 51-3 England were vulnerable, but Bethell and Brook initially appeared assured only for things to unravel via a duff pull shot and slash to backward point on 18 and 34 respectively.

Read more on BBC

But Orban's carefully laid plans began to unravel on 21 October, when the White House announced that the summit had been called off.

Read more on BBC

Their coalition scored a historic victory in 2018, but the alliance began to unravel as the nonagenarian kept shifting the goalposts for handing over power.

Read more on BBC

But they’re a symptom of a broader problem: of a deep private credit system with the potential to unravel faster than anyone can track.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• decipher 
• resolve 
• solve 
• undo 
• untangle