entangle

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verb

Definition of ENTANGLE

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>

Synonyms interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, knot, snarl, tangle

Related Words jumble, scrabble, scramble; braid, enlace, entwine, entwist, inweave, plait, twine, weave, wind, wreathe, writhe

Near Antonyms unknot, unravel, unscramble; unweave

Antonyms disentangle, unsnarl, untangle, untwine, untwist

2

to catch or hold as if in a net <the young runaway gradually became entangled in a web of lies>

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

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

Near Antonyms detach, disengage, extricate; clear, free, liberate

Antonyms disentangle, untangle

3

to make complex or difficult <the history of Alexander the Great is entangled by variant accounts of his exploits>

Synonyms complex, complexify, embarrass, entangle, perplex, sophisticate

Related Words develop, elaborate, expand; intensify, magnify; confound, confuse, mess (up), mix (up), muddle; snarl, tangle

Near Antonyms abbreviate, cut, shorten; ease, facilitate; disentangle, straighten (out), unravel, untangle; oversimplify

Antonyms simplify, streamline