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unravel definition

un·ravel (un rav′əl)

transitive verb unraveled -·eled or unravelled -·elled, unraveling -·el·ing or unravelling -·el·ling

  1. to undo (something woven or tangled); untangle or separate the threads of
  2. to make clear of confusion or involvement; solve

intransitive verb

to become unraveled

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

unravel Synonyms

unravel

v.

  1. To solve

    clear up, disclose, resolve; see explain, interpret 1.

  2. To untangle

    unwind, disengage, undo; see free 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

unravel Usage Examples

Object

  • mystery: A new website backed by Arts Council England aims to help artists unravel the mystery of pensions.

Preposition: at

  • pace: The Kiwi version has the jumpers attached to a cable, which unravels at a controlled pace.

Modifying Another Word

  • gradually: If we stay put in deed and word our rap will gradually unravel and in time reweave us more deeply into place.

Used with why or when

  • when: But her neat, buttoned-up life starts to unravel when her daughter Elena returns home, angry and unemployed.
unravel usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

unravel quotes

It is a maxim of cryptology that what one man can devise, another can unravel. This principle keeps armies of tax lawyers and accountants employed, but adds nothing to our national productivity.

-Wriston,Walter Bigelow

unravel quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"unravel." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/unravel>

APA Style

unravel. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/unravel

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