unfolding

verb

present participle of unfold
1
as in expanding
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area carefully unfold that antique map so that it doesn't tear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in evolving
to gradually become clearer or more detailed as the situation unfolded, it became clear that more help would be needed the movie became more interesting once the mystery began to unfold

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in blooming
to produce flowers the rosebud unfolded literally overnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in appearing
to come into view the majestic landscape unfolded before us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unfolding In Ocean Springs, where Nolan lived and first made a name for himself, the focus remained on the high school’s football game unfolding in front of them – no moment of silence, visible memorials, signs, ribbons or public tributes. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Can this connection roll with an unforeseen professional development that’s unfolding? — Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 But social media has dramatically changed the way people consume true crime over the past three decades, replacing a passive viewing with a constant stream of commentary, speculation and reactions unfolding in real time. — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 Beyond individual hazards The Nepal disaster is still an unfolding event, and the exact sequence that produced the flood will become clearer in the coming days. — Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026 The story can work on two levels—as a straightforward plot, usually culminating in a big match or competition, and as a gradually unfolding character study. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 In this particular case, one of many currently unfolding across the country, 19th Judicial District Court Judge Will Jorden in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, granted the plaintiffs a temporary restraining order in their lawsuit against the NCAA. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Television networks had broadcast the unfolding hostage situation live, and the violent end captivated the American public. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 No one seems bothered that nearly everyone has an Aussie accent, despite this film ostensibly unfolding 100 miles away from Los Angeles (the film was shot in Queensland). — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfolding
  1. expanding
  2. evolving
  3. blooming
  4. appearing
  5. opening
  6. progressing
  7. flowering
  8. showing
Verb
  • Axel Springer is expanding in the Middle East, joining a growing number of Western publishers with an editorial presence in the region — and testing a key pillar of its editorial beliefs.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Mamdani’s signature 2-K program is scheduled to launch this fall with 2,000 students in select school districts, with the goal of expanding citywide over four years.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of expanding
Verb
  • This rising use of AI has principally been spurred by the evolving advances and widespread adoption of generative AI and LLMs such as ChatGPT, GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and others.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The terms are evolving, and often used interchangeably for health care approaches not typically part of conventional medical care or that originated outside of Western medicine.
    — Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of evolving
Verb
  • Late-summer and fall-blooming perennials should be divided in the spring.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 25 Aug. 2026
  • More than 60 varieties of heirloom flowers are blooming now, thanks to help from the Kane County Master Gardeners.
    — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of blooming
Verb
  • Russia's surprise return to the table sparked dismay among European officials, who opposed appearing with Siluanov in the traditional G20 photo, which was ultimately taken without the Russian minister.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Malört also found its way into the food menu, appearing in beef chili dogs, Nutella churros and sausage pizza slices.
    — Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of appearing
Verb
  • Where is Southwest Airlines opening its first airport lounges?
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • After its Venice premiere, the film will screen at the New York Film Festival before opening in theaters and screening on arthouse film platform Mubi later this year.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of opening
Verb
  • That description equally well applies to our probable timeline on this planet, the way things are progressing.
    — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Quantum sensing is progressing toward operational applications.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of progressing
Verb
  • Autumn Joy Stonecrop Also called autumn joy sedum, this hardy, summer- and fall-flowering perennial is known for its succulent foliage and dense clusters of tiny pink flowers.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Dragon fruit is ready to pick from July through October, 30-50 days after flowering.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of flowering
Verb
  • Analysts also underscored that all cylinders of the Indian economy were firing, with high-frequency indicators showing that consumption and investment in the country were holding up.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But the situation is far more tragic, with videos on social media showing dozens of coffins lined up beside mass graves, awaiting burial before the bodies decompose in the heat.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of showing

Browse Nearby Words

unfolded
unfolding
unfolds
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Cite this Entry

“Unfolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfolding. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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