unravel

intransitive-verb
UK: /ʌnˈræv.əl/
US: /ʌnˈræv.əl/

  1. To become loose or separate; to undo threads.

    1. The sweater started to unravel.
    2. The edges began to unravel after only a few washes, which was disappointing.

  2. If a process or plan unravels, it starts to fail.

    1. The peace talks began to unravel.
    2. The company's carefully constructed image began to unravel after the scandal.

  3. To solve a mystery or explain something complicated.

    1. Detectives tried to unravel the truth.
    2. The scientist worked tirelessly to unravel the secrets of the universe.

Synonyms

disentangle explain decode resolve separate undo crumble
unravel transitive-verb

  1. To separate threads; to undo something knitted or woven.

    1. I had to unravel the yarn.
    2. She decided to unravel the old scarf and reuse the wool for a new project.

  2. To cause a plan or system to fail.

    1. His mistakes could unravel the deal.
    2. A single error in judgment can unravel years of careful planning and hard work.

  3. To explain a mystery or problem.

    1. Let's unravel this mystery together.
    2. The detective slowly began to unravel the complex web of lies and deceit.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "unravel" in English means: To become loose or separate; to undo threads., If a process or plan unravels, it starts to fail., To solve a mystery or explain something complicated..

The phonetic transcription of "unravel" is /ʌnˈræv.əl/ in British English and /ʌnˈræv.əl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "unravel": disentangle, explain, decode, resolve, separate, undo, crumble.

Example usage of "unravel": "The sweater started to unravel.". More examples on the page.