unwrinkle

unwrinkle

She uses a steam iron to unwrinkle her cotton shirt.

Definition

Verb - To remove wrinkles from something: "unwrinkle" means to smooth out or eliminate creases, folds, or wrinkles from a surface, typically fabric or skin.

Usage Examples
  • Verb:
    • She used a steam iron to unwrinkle her silk blouse. (She removed the creases from the blouse.)
    • The skincare cream claims to unwrinkle the skin over time. (The cream is intended to reduce facial wrinkles.)
    • He carefully unwrinkled the crumpled letter before reading it. (He smoothed out the paper to make it flat.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to unwrinkle one's brow": to relax the forehead, often after frowning or concentrating.

    • After hearing the good news, she unwrinkled her brow and smiled. (She stopped frowning and relaxed her facial muscles.)

  • "to unwrinkle a situation": (figurative, informal) to resolve a complicated or tense situation.

    • The mediator worked to unwrinkle the dispute between the two parties. (The mediator smoothed over the conflict.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Unwrinkled (adj): free from wrinkles; smooth.

    • The unwrinkled bedsheet looked freshly ironed. (The sheet had no creases.)

  • Unwrinkling (n/adj): the act of removing wrinkles; or becoming smooth.

    • The unwrinkling process took only a few minutes with the steamer. (The removal of wrinkles was quick.)
Synonyms
  • Smooth: to make even and free from folds.
  • Iron: to press with a heated tool to remove wrinkles.
  • Flatten: to make flat or level.
  • De-crease: to remove creases (less common).
Phrasal Verbs

  • Smooth out: to remove wrinkles or irregularities.

    • She smoothed out the tablecloth before dinner. (She unwrinkled it.)

  • Press out: to remove wrinkles by applying pressure.

    • He pressed out the wrinkles from his trousers with his hands. (He unwrinkled them manually.)
Related Idioms

  • Iron out the wrinkles: to resolve minor problems or difficulties.

    • The team needs to iron out the wrinkles in the new software before launch. (They need to fix small issues.)

  • Smooth the way: to make progress easier.

    • Her experience smoothed the way for the project's approval. (She removed obstacles.)