tangle

¹tan·gle

verb \ˈtaŋ-gəl\

tan·gledtan·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of TANGLE

transitive verb

1

: to involve so as to hamper, obstruct, or embarrass

2

: to seize and hold in or as if in a snare : entrap

3

: to unite or knit together in intricate confusion

intransitive verb

1

: to interact in a contentious or conflicting way

2

: to become entangled

Examples of TANGLE

1. This fishing line tangles easily.
2. <was at last tangled in the web of lies that he had told to everyone>

Origin of TANGLE

Middle English tanglen, tagilen, probably short for entanglen, from Anglo-French entagler, entangler to prosecute (for), implicate

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TANGLE

Synonyms

catch up, enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, ensnarl, entoil, entrap, mesh, net, snare, entangle, trap

Antonyms

disentangle, untangle

Related Words

bag, birdlime, capture, collar; embroil, implicate, involve, mire

Near Antonyms

detach, disengage, extricate; clear, free, liberate

Rhymes with TANGLE

angle, bangle, dangle, jangle, mangel, mangle, spangle, strangle, wangle, wrangle

²tangle

noun

Definition of TANGLE

1

: a tangled twisted mass : snarl

2

a : a complicated or confused state or condition

b : a state of perplexity or complete bewilderment

3

: a serious altercation : dispute

4

: neurofibrillary tangle

First Known Use of TANGLE

1615

³tangle

noun

Definition of TANGLE

: a large seaweed

Origin of TANGLE

of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse thǫngull tangle, thang seaweed

First Known Use: 1536

tan·gle

noun \ˈtaŋ-gəl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TANGLE

: neurofibrillary tangle