unravel
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for unravel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To untangle or separate threads that have become knotted or woven together.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use unravel
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
unravel a mystery
unravel the truth
begin to unravel
unravel a plot
Etymology
From un- ("reverse of") plus ravel, "to tangle" — so literally "to un-tangle."
Full origin of unravel →Frequently asked questions
What does “unravel” mean?
The word “unravel” means to untangle or separate threads that have become knotted or woven together. In plain terms, to undo something tangled or confusing, either literally (knots, fabric) or figuratively (mysteries, plans falling apart).
How do you pronounce “unravel”?
“Unravel” is pronounced uhn-RA-vuhl (/ˌʌnˈɹævəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “unravel” in a sentence?
Here is “unravel” used in a sentence: “She patiently unravelled the tangled ball of wool.”
What part of speech is “unravel”?
“Unravel” is a verb.
How many meanings does “unravel” have?
“Unravel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to untangle or separate threads that have become knotted or woven together.
