unfurrowing
Brow becoming calm
Unfurrowing is the present participle of unfurrow, meaning to smooth out or relax furrows—the creases or wrinkles that form, especially on the forehead or brow when someone concentrates, worries, or frowns.
The term appears most often in descriptions of facial expressions shifting from tension to ease: She watched his brow unfurrowing as he finally understood.
Like its opposite furrowing, it can extend metaphorically to anything becoming smoother or less troubled.
Removing folds from surfaces
- uncreasingEliminating folds from material
- straighteningMaking something not crooked
- flatteningReducing to evenness
- ironingSmoothing cloth with heat
pressing · smoothing · evening · leveling · relaxing · loosening · unbending · easing
Inducing a settled state
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- relievingReducing discomfort or strain
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
- comfortingGiving emotional ease
easing · mellowing · gentling · pacifying · settling · quieting · tranquilizing · defusing
Making something understandable
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- comprehendingMentally taking in meaning
- realizingBecoming aware of something
- resolvingReaching a conclusion
accepting · reconciling · releasing · letting go · processing · coming to terms · working through · untroubling
unwrinkling
Removing folds from surfaces
- uncreasingEliminating folds from material
- straighteningMaking something not crooked
- flatteningReducing to evenness
ironing · pressing · smoothing · evening · leveling · relaxing · loosening · unbending · easing · softening
calming
Inducing a settled state
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- relievingReducing discomfort or strain
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
comforting · easing · mellowing · gentling · pacifying · settling · quieting · tranquilizing · defusing · appeasing
clarifying
Making something understandable
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- comprehendingMentally taking in meaning
- realizingBecoming aware of something
resolving · accepting · reconciling · releasing · letting go · processing · coming to terms · working through · untroubling