unravel

Verb

Verb Forms: unravels, unraveled, unravelled, unraveling, unravelling

• To separate tangled threads; to clarify a mystery.
• become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
  • "unravel the thread"
• disentangle
  • "can you unravel the mystery?"
• become undone
  • "the sweater unraveled"
• To cause (something) to no longer be ravelled or tangled; to disentangle, to untangle.
• To separate the threads of (something knitted or woven, such as clothing or fabric).
• To separate the connected or united parts of (something); to throw (something) into disorder; to confound, to confuse, to disintegrate.
• To clear (something) from complication or difficulty; to investigate and solve (a mystery, a problem, etc.); to disentangle, to unfold, to work out.
• To reverse or undo (something); to annul, to negate.
• To become no longer ravelled or tangled.
• Of threads: to become separated from something knitted or woven, such as clothing or fabric; also, of something knitted or woven: to separate into threads; to come apart.
• Of a thing: to have its connected or united parts separated; to be thrown into disorder; to become confused or undone; to collapse.

Examples

• He tried to unravel his opponent’s strategy, but their moves seemed utterly random.
• Mother couldn’t unravel the ball of wool after the cat had played with it.
• Stop playing with the seam of the tablecloth! You’ll unravel it.
• to unravel the broad consensus which was created
• to unravel the compromise achieved in the treaty
• to unravel the confusion    to unravel a plot

Synonyms

ravel, ravel out, run, unknot, unpick, unscramble, untangle, come undone, straighten out, unpuzzle, unriddle, unsnarl

Antonyms

knot, ravel