To Unravel

1. (transitive) To separate the threads (of); disentangle.
2. (intransitive) (of threads, etc.) To become separated; (of something woven, knitted, etc.) to come apart.
3. (transitive, figurative) To clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve.
4. (transitive, figurative) To separate the connected or united parts of; to throw into disorder; to confuse.
5. (intransitive, figurative) To become undone; to collapse.

Usage notes

The spellings unraveling and unraveled are primarily US while unravelling and unravelled are primarily UK, other Commonwealth countries, and Ireland.

Synonyms

• (separate the threads of): disentangle, unsnarl
• (clear from complication): solve, unriddle