unravel
verb (used with object)
to separate or disentangle the threads of (a woven or knitted fabric, a rope, etc.).
was unraveling
-
past progressiveof unravel.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But like stepping back from a pointillist painting, the beauty of what was unraveling didn’t hit me until two days later, when dad died.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025
Landrum tried to compose herself, but her meticulously prepared, low-intervention birth plan was unraveling.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 3, 2023
That's when I felt like my life was unraveling.
From Salon ● Apr. 13, 2023
Alanta Scott said she saw positive changes in her son during his time in the programs but grew nervous that his progress was unraveling after he graduated from Pathways in November.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 2, 2023
Meanwhile, life in the Labadist community was unraveling.
From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman
