entangle

verb

en·​tan·​gle in-ˈtaŋ-gəl How to pronounce entangle (audio)
en-
entangled; entangling; entangles
Synonyms of entanglenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to wrap or twist together : interweave
b
: ensnare
2
a
: to involve in a perplexing or troublesome situation
became entangled in a lawsuit
b
: to make complicated
the story is entangled with legends
entangler
in-ˈtaŋ-g(ə-)lər How to pronounce entangle (audio)
en-
noun

Synonyms of entangle

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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
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fatal accidents range from workers getting entangled while cleaning nets to shipwrecks among vessels in the area. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 To get to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, take the metro (look for the brown Metro Line 9) to avoid getting entangled in traffic snarls. — Alan Chazaro, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2026 The Presley lawsuits as AI companies have gotten increasingly entangled in litigation over their models, following lawsuits against companies including Suno, Udio and others. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 The drama, starring Peter Krause and Hope Davis, about a family of federal law enforcement agents entangled in a mystery, is one of the breakout stories of the fall. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entangle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French entangler — more at tangle entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of entangle was in the 15th century

Rhymes for entangle

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Browse Nearby Words

entamoeba
entangle
entanglement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entangle. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

entangle

verb
en·​tan·​gle in-ˈtaŋ-gəl How to pronounce entangle (audio)
1
: to make tangled or confused
2
: to involve in a tangle or a confusing or difficult situation
entanglement
-mənt
noun
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