unravel
/ʌnˈɹævəl/
Group 33Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To undo twisted, knitted, or woven threads; to investigate and solve or explain GRE
Example in Context
As investigators began to unravel the conspiracy, each new discovery revealed connections to individuals and organizations previously thought unrelated.
Synonyms
untanglesolvedecode
Etymology
To undo or untangle something that’s been knotted or complicated.
- un- (Old English) — not
- ravel (Middle English) — to tangle
Memory Aid
🧶Sounds like “un-ravel”
Picture a cat going to UN-RAVEL a giant ball of yarn, causing chaos everywhere — 'Oops, I did it again!'
Visual Association
🧵A tangled mess of yarn slowly becoming neatly wound, revealing its original shape.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “unravel” mean on the GRE?
unravel (verb) means “To undo twisted, knitted, or woven threads; to investigate and solve or explain”. As investigators began to unravel the conspiracy, each new discovery revealed connections to individuals and organizations previously thought unrelated.
How to remember “unravel” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “unravel” sounds like “un-ravel”. Picture a cat going to UN-RAVEL a giant ball of yarn, causing chaos everywhere — 'Oops, I did it again!'
What are synonyms for “unravel”?
Common synonyms: untangle, solve, decode.