unwind

unwind — verb

1. to make something that is twisted or wrapped around something else become straig

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to make something that is twisted or wrapped around something else become straight or loose; or to become straight or loose by itself after being twisted or wrapped.

Example

Eshe carefully unwound the bandage from her sprained wrist and laid it flat on the table.

transitive: unwind [object] from [place]

The old garden hose slowly unwound as Hyun pulled it across the lawn toward the flower bed.

intransitive: object + unwinds

Common collocations
  • unwind from
  • carefully unwind
  • slowly unwind
Synonyms
  • unroll

    focuses on making something flat from a rolled shape; narrower than 'unwind'

  • uncoil

    describes straightening something that is in circles; very close synonym

  • unfurl

    used for sails, flags, or umbrellas; implies opening something folded as well

Antonyms
  • wind

    the direct opposite action

  • coil

    to wind into circles or loops

Grammar Patterns

unwind + object (a rope, bandage, scarf)

object + unwinds

Usage Note

Common in physical descriptions. The object is usually something long and flexible that has been wound or coiled — rope, wire, bandage, scarf, or hair.

Common Mistakes

She unwound the knot in the rope.
She untied the knot in the rope.
'unwind' means to uncoil something that is wound, not to undo a knot.

2. to free yourself from worry and daily pressures so that your mind and body can r

2.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to free yourself from worry and daily pressures so that your mind and body can rest.

Example

After a long day at the hospital, Quinn likes to unwind by taking a slow walk through the park.

unwind + by + [gerund]

Élise found it hard to unwind after the meeting because her phone kept ringing with new questions.

unwind after [noun]

Common collocations
  • unwind after work
  • unwind by doing
  • need to unwind
  • time to unwind
Synonyms
  • relax

    more general term for resting; 'unwind' adds the nuance of releasing built-up tension

  • de-stress

    more informal; specifically about removing stress rather than general relaxation

  • wind down

    phrasal verb; suggests a gradual transition from activity to rest

Antonyms
  • tense up

    to become physically or mentally tight with worry

  • stress out

    informal; to become overwhelmed by pressure

Grammar Patterns

unwind + after/before + [activity]

unwind + by + [gerund]

Usage Note

Almost always intransitive in this sense. Used commonly in advice and self-care contexts. Frequently paired with 'after' (a period of work or stress) or 'by' (an activity).

Common Mistakes

I unwind my mind after work.
I unwind after work.
'unwind' already includes the idea of relaxing your mind; no object is needed.

3. to go through the required processes, often with lawyers or banks, to bring a bu

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to go through the required processes, often with lawyers or banks, to bring a business agreement or an investment to a full close.

Example

The company decided to unwind its partnership with the foreign supplier after the trade dispute began.

transitive: unwind + [business arrangement]

Christopher hired a lawyer to help him unwind the complex investment contract he had signed two years ago.

Common collocations
  • unwind a position
  • unwind a contract
  • unwind an investment
  • unwind a deal
Synonyms
  • liquidate

    more specific to selling assets for cash; stronger financial register

  • settle

    broader term meaning to pay off or close an account; less formal

  • terminate

    general legal term for ending an agreement; does not imply financial complexity

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

unwind + [financial arrangement]

Usage Note

Restricted to formal finance and legal contexts. The object is typically a financial instrument, contract, partnership, or market position.

Common Mistakes

We unwound our office lease.
We terminated our office lease.
'unwind' in finance refers specifically to complex structured agreements or positions, not everyday contracts like a lease.

4. if a story, situation, or series of events unwinds, it gradually develops and re

4.verbintransitiveC2
Definition

if a story, situation, or series of events unwinds, it gradually develops and reaches a natural end.

Example

The novel's plot unwinds slowly, revealing a hidden family secret in the final chapter.

plot/story + unwinds

Ritu watched the drama unwind between the two families over the course of that long summer.

Common collocations
  • plot unwinds
  • story unwinds
  • drama unwinds
Synonyms
  • unfold

    the more common word for events developing; 'unwind' adds a literary tone

  • develop

    neutral term; does not imply a narrative or endpoint

  • play out

    phrasal verb; suggests events following their natural course to completion

Grammar Patterns

story/event + unwinds

how + [situation] + unwinds

Usage Note

Used in literary or narrative contexts. The subject is typically a story, plot, scene, or developing situation. Rare in everyday speech. More common in British English than American.

Common Mistakes

The movie unwound for two hours.
The movie unfolded over two hours.
'unwind' for this sense sounds old-fashioned; 'unfold' is the more natural word for describing how a story develops.

5. to examine a complicated situation, problem, or set of ideas and make it clearer

5.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to examine a complicated situation, problem, or set of ideas and make it clearer or easier to understand.

Example

The detective spent weeks trying to unwind the confusing timeline of events from the night of the robbery.

transitive: unwind + [complex situation]

Darius had to unwind the various legal claims before the court could make a fair decision.

Common collocations
  • unwind a mystery
  • unwind a problem
  • unwind an argument
Synonyms
  • untangle

    more common in everyday speech for abstract problems; same meaning

  • unravel

    suggests a process of discovering hidden causes; slightly more dramatic tone

  • sort out

    phrasal verb; informal and very common in British English

Antonyms
  • complicate

    to make something more difficult to understand

Grammar Patterns

unwind + [complex situation or problem]

Usage Note

Overlaps with sense 1 when applied to abstract problems, but the object here is always intangible — a puzzle, argument, mystery, or set of rules. Often interchangeable with 'untangle' in this metaphorical use.

Common Mistakes

Can you unwind this math problem for me?
Can you untangle this math problem for me?
'unwind' for this sense is formal and somewhat rare; 'untangle' or 'sort out' are more natural in everyday conversation.

Word family

  • unwinding
    nounB2
  • unwound
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

All four words describe reducing mental or physical tension, but they differ in register and tone. 'Relax' is the most general and neutral term — you can relax by reading, napping, or sitting quietly. 'Unwind' adds the image of releasing built-up tension, like a coiled spring loosening; it is often used after work or a stressful event. 'De-stress' is more informal and specifically targets stress rather than general tiredness. 'Wind down' is a phrasal verb that suggests a gradual, intentional transition from activity to rest — similar to 'unwind' but slightly more common in British English. 'Chill out' is slang and very informal, used mostly in casual conversation among friends. For example, you might tell a colleague 'I need to unwind after that presentation,' but in a text to a friend you could say 'I'm just chilling out at home.'

relax ↗de-stresswind downchill out ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'unwind' comes from Old English 'unwindan', which was formed from 'un-' (meaning 'reverse the action of') and 'windan' (meaning 'to twist or coil'). The literal sense — to undo something that is twisted — has been in the language since before the year 1000. The figurative meaning 'to relax' (as in releasing mental tension like uncoiling a spring) appeared in the early 20th century, and the financial sense emerged in the late 1900s with the growth of complex investment structures.