Entangle — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /in-ˈtaŋ-gəl/ en·tan·gle

Meaning & Definition of Entangle

Entangle (verb)

  1. to wrap or twist together, interweave
  2. ensnare
  3. to involve in a perplexing or troublesome situation

Entangle (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to twist together into a usually confused mass

    "in the process of taking down the Christmas tree, we managed to entangle the string of lights into a hopeless mess of wires"

    similar: interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, knot, snarl, tangle
    related: jumble, scrabble, scramble, braid, enlace, entwine, entwist, inweave, plait, twine, weave, wind, wreathe, writhe
    opposite: disentangle, unsnarl, untangle, untwine, untwist
    near: unknot, unravel, unscramble, unweave

  2. to catch or hold as if in a net

    "the young runaway gradually became entangled in a web of lies"

    similar: catch up, enmesh, ensnare, ensnarl, entoil, entrap, mesh, net, snare, tangle, trap
    related: bag, birdlime, capture, collar, embroil, implicate, involve, mire
    opposite: disentangle, untangle
    near: detach, disengage, extricate, clear, free, liberate

  3. to make complex or difficult

    "the history of Alexander the Great is entangled by variant accounts of his exploits"

    similar: complex, complexify, complicate, embarrass, perplex, sophisticate
    related: develop, elaborate, expand, intensify, magnify, confound, confuse, mess (up), mix (up), muddle, snarl, tangle
    opposite: simplify, streamline
    near: abbreviate, cut, shorten, ease, facilitate, disentangle, straighten (out), unravel, untangle, oversimplify

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Entangle

The most common words with a similar meaning to Entangle:

interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, knot, snarl, tangle, catch up, enmesh, ensnare, ensnarl, entoil, entrap, mesh, net, snare, trap, complex, complexify, complicate, embarrass, perplex, sophisticate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Entangle

Words with the opposite meaning of Entangle:

disentangle, unsnarl, untangle, untwine, untwist, simplify, streamline

Related Words for Entangle

jumble, scrabble, scramble, braid, enlace, entwine, entwist, inweave, plait, twine, weave, wind, wreathe, writhe, bag, birdlime, capture, collar, embroil, implicate, involve, mire, develop, elaborate, expand, intensify, magnify, confound, confuse, mess (up)

Near Antonyms of Entangle

unknot, unravel, unscramble, unweave, detach, disengage, extricate, clear, free, liberate, abbreviate, cut, shorten, ease, facilitate, straighten (out), oversimplify

Word Forms of Entangle

Inflections: entangled, entangling, entangles

Derived words: entangler (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Entangle

Middle English, from Anglo-French entangler tangle:1

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Entangle

What does "Entangle" mean?

"Entangle" means to wrap or twist together, interweave. As a verb, it is defined as: to wrap or twist together, interweave. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Entangle"?

Other words for "Entangle" include interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, knot, snarl, tangle and catch up. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Entangle" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Entangle"?

There are 55 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Entangle". Common alternatives include interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, knot, snarl, tangle, catch up, enmesh and ensnare.

What is the opposite of "Entangle"?

Antonyms of "Entangle" include disentangle, unsnarl, untangle, untwine, untwist, simplify and streamline. Near antonyms include unknot, unravel, unscramble and unweave.

How do you use "Entangle" in a sentence?

Examples of "Entangle" in a sentence: "in the process of taking down the Christmas tree, we managed to entangle the string of lights into a hopeless mess of wires"; "the young runaway gradually became entangled in a web of lies"; "the history of Alexander the Great is entangled by variant accounts of his exploits".

Is "Entangle" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Entangle" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Entangle"?

"Entangle" is pronounced /in-ˈtaŋ-gəl/ and divided into syllables as en·tan·gle.

What is the origin of the word "Entangle"?

"Entangle" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French entangler tangle:1. First known use: 15th century.