unfold
Reveal by spreading
Unfold means to open something that has been folded: She unfolded the map on the table.
The word extends naturally to revelation or gradual disclosure—events unfold, stories unfold, plans unfold as they develop and become known: The mystery unfolded over several chapters.
We watched the crisis unfold on live television.
Not closed
- spreadTo distribute widely
- flattenMake level or smooth
- extendMake longer or larger
- unwrapRemove outer covering
unroll · unfurl · expand · smooth out · lay out · straighten · open out · fan out
Reveal something hidden
- discloseReveal hidden information
- exposeMake known publicly
- uncoverReveal what's hidden
- divulgeReveal private information
unmask · reveal · discovery · secret · truth · confession · admission · revelation
Change gradually over time
- progressMovement toward improvement
- advanceMove or progress forward
- emergeCome out into view
- matureFully grown or developed
grow · blossom · flourish · transpire · play out · take shape · come about · pan out
Make something understood
- elucidateTo make understood
- explicateClarify through detailed analysis
- illuminateSupply with radiance
- interpretExtract or convey meaning
demystify · enlighten · illustrate · simplify · decode · clarify · spell out · break down
open
Not closed
unwrap · unroll · unfurl · expand · smooth out · lay out · straighten · open out · fan out · splay
unveil
Reveal something hidden
divulge · unmask · reveal · discovery · secret · truth · confession · admission · revelation · epiphany
evolve
Change gradually over time
mature · grow · blossom · flourish · transpire · play out · take shape · come about · pan out · proceed
explain
Make something understood
- elucidateTo make understood
- explicateClarify through detailed analysis
- illuminateSupply with radiance
interpret · demystify · enlighten · illustrate · simplify · decode · clarify · spell out · break down · expound
- opening actionsopen, opening, unlock, unlocking, unlatch
- U-wordsugly, ultimate, ultra, umbrella, unable
- narration verbsdescribe, recount, relate, tell, report
- straighten outunbend, flatten, untwist, uncurl, uncoil
- functional programminglambda, closure, curry, map, currying
- recursionrecursion, base case, self-reference, infinite recursion, recurrence relation