unspool

American  

[uhn-spool] / ʌnˈspul /

verb

1. to unwind from a spool, as of wire, tape, film, etc.

2. to unravel; destroy or be destroyed steadily or gradually.

3. to perform (an action or movement) or be performed in a smooth, swift, graceful way, as if unrolling from a spool.

---

Explanation

To unspool is to unwind something that's coiled around a cylinder. If your cat unspools your thread, it'll be impossible to get it all untangled and wound back up. Anything that's wound around into a spool or coil, can be unspooled. You might unspool the garden hose to fill up a backyard kiddie pool, or unspool the enormous amount of spaghetti from your fork and start over. Figuratively, something that's gracefully or smoothly rolled out is also unspooled: "Grandma loves to unspool a real nail-biter of a story after dinner."

Example Sentences

Consider it a thought exercise to explore how the global economic damage might unspool.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Far-reaching change will now unspool not just in Iran, but in the Middle East and across the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Contemporary documentary footage of different puppet shows across Asia are interspersed with vivid street scenes that offer a present-day glimpse of the locations where Edward and Molly’s romantic misadventures unspool.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

In “Presence,” we’re rarely allowed to forget that we are an interloper in the lives of a family as they slowly unspool.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2025

She felt a bit more of the tall woman’s magic unspool and draw toward her.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill