as in expanding
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area
after the protestors had unfurled their banner, it stretched from one side of the visitors' gallery to the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 unfurling
Hardly out of her teens, Anna Christopherson is a Swedish immigrant, brought by her mother to Minnesota as a young child while her father, Chris (Brian d’Arcy James, unfurling in the role as if it were written for him), was constantly away at sea.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
The source of her excitement was the slip of paper that Shaquille O’Neal was unfurling ahead on a panel of television screens, signifying arguably the most-favorable draw for the Americans.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2025
Video published by the Kremlin on Monday and geolocated by CNN shows Russian soldiers unfurling a Russian flag in Pokrovsk’s city center, an area which has been under Moscow’s control for some time.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
There is barely time for introductions before the women at Inaash Association are proudly unfurling their work for me.
—Amelia Dhuga, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Focusing on Harlem in New York City, Checker tracks the role of public green spaces in New York’s social reform and urban renewal eras from the nineteenth century to the present, unfurling a history of contestation regarding public spaces including Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park.
—JSTOR Daily, 14 Nov. 2025
The cords gave way, unfurling in one dazzling thrust the release of the entire Fence.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Given the massive changes unfurling on the White House grounds, Trump is sure betting historians agree with him.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Mayfield rolled right with plenty of time before unfurling a long throw that threaded between Blankenship and rookie safety Drew Mukuba and struck Emeka Egbuka in stride for a 77-yard touchdown.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfurling
Verb
-
Over the years, Harold’s Chicken grew far beyond its original location, expanding into a regional brand with restaurants across eight states.—
-
Mitsubishi is looking to capitalize on rising power needs from data centers, manufacturing, as well as LNG exports, by expanding in the the world's largest gas market, citing domestic consumption, production, exports, and further demand growth.—
Verb
-
Motorola devices will follow, with over-the-air updates extending support over time.—
-
Keeping your right knee slightly bent, perform the deadlift by bending at the hip, extending your left leg behind you for balance.—
Verb
-
There was minimal discussion of what was unfolding, letting the footage speak for itself.—
-
Observers typically sit in the back of the courtroom notebook and pen in hand, documenting how the hearing is unfolding and how the individual is treated during the proceeding.—
Verb
-
Per his release, the rapper must follow strict guidelines for the next five years, such as no alcohol, drug testing, and federal supervision when opening bank accounts.—
-
But a landmark land claims settlement in 1980 exempted Maine from federal Indian gaming laws, which has prevented the tribes from opening casinos on their lands.—
Cite this Entry
“Unfurling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfurling. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
