unraveling
Slowly falling apart
Unraveling is the process of coming apart or being untangled.
Thread unravels from fabric; a mystery unravels as clues emerge.
The word often describes deterioration or collapse: the unraveling of a marriage, the unraveling of democratic institutions.
What once held together—whether yarn, plans, or composure—loses its coherence.
Also spelled unravelling.
Undo knots or confusion
- unwindRelease accumulated tension
- threadFiber for stitching
- loosenReduce tension or grip
- extricateFree from entanglement
detangle · unweave · unbraid · unlace · separate · unfasten · fray · unknot
Process of declining quality
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- collapseSudden structural failure
- frayingComing apart threadwise
- falling apartGradually breaking into pieces
degradation · erosion · crumbling · weakening · dissolution · breakdown · decline · atrophy
To let go
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
losing grip · coming apart · overwhelm · unburden · confession · vulnerability · tears · processing
Something unexplained or unknown
- clueSolving aid
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- sleuthPrivate investigator
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
secrets · investigation · uncover · decode · decipher · forensics · evidence · piece together
Statement making something clear
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- answerSolution to query
- solutionAnswer or liquid mixture
- clarityState of being understandable
resolution · deduction · reasoning · insight · breakthrough · revelation · discovery · epiphany
Absence of organization
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- disarrayLack of order
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
pandemonium · upheaval · disruption · bedlam · tumult · mess · spiraling · out of control
untangle
Undo knots or confusion
extricate · detangle · unweave · unbraid · unlace · separate · unfasten · fray · unknot · tease apart
deterioration
Process of declining quality
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- collapseSudden structural failure
- frayingComing apart threadwise
falling apart · degradation · erosion · crumbling · weakening · dissolution · breakdown · decline · atrophy · decomposition
release
To let go
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
meltdown · losing grip · coming apart · overwhelm · unburden · confession · vulnerability · tears · processing · therapy
mystery
Something unexplained or unknown
puzzle · secrets · investigation · uncover · decode · decipher · forensics · evidence · piece together · trace
explanation
Statement making something clear
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- answerSolution to query
- solutionAnswer or liquid mixture
clarity · resolution · deduction · reasoning · insight · breakthrough · revelation · discovery · epiphany · realization
disorder
Absence of organization
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- disarrayLack of order
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
mayhem · pandemonium · upheaval · disruption · bedlam · tumult · mess · spiraling · out of control · falling apart
- clothing flawshole, rip, tear, stain, wrinkle
- explainingexplaining, clarifying, elaborating, elucidating, expounding
- Hair Detanglingcomb, brush, knots, snarls, wide-tooth comb
- setbacksfailing, back to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles
- Sewing Metaphorsseamless, threadbare, woven, patched up, hanging by a thread
- out of controlwild, chaotic, unruly, unchecked, runaway
unravelingtangling
Intertwining into disorder
knotting · entangling · weaving · braiding · knitting
unravelingobscuring
Making less visible
complicating · mystifying · confusing · muddling · obfuscating
unravelingholding together
Remaining unified, not separating
coming together · consolidating · stabilizing · strengthening · coalescing