tangle

verb

tan·​gle ˈtaŋ-gəl 

tangled; tangling ˈtaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to unite or knit together in intricate confusion

2

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

3

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

intransitive verb

1

: to become entangled

2

: to interact in a contentious or conflicting way

Synonyms of tangle

• trap

Examples of tangle in a Sentence

This fishing line tangles easily.

was at last tangled in the web of lies that he had told to everyone

Recent Examples on the Web

This way, your necklaces never tangle or touch each other. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026

Is the fabric lightweight and likely to tangle? —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026

Because there is less friction, hair is less likely to tangle or develop the rough texture associated with frizz. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 30 May 2026

Representative Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley are tangled in a bitter contest that’s headed to a runoff on June 16. —Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing tangle

• neurofibrillary tangle
• tangle with

Rhymes for tangle

• angle
• bangle
• dangle
• jangle
• mangle
• strangle
• wrangle
• disentangle
• entangle
• quadrangle
• triangle
• untangle

Kids Definition

tangle

1 of 2 verb

tan·​gle ˈtaŋ-gəl 

tangled; tangling -g(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to make or become involved so as to complicate or confuse : be or become entangled

2

: to twist or become twisted together into a mass hard to straighten out again

tangle

2 of 2 noun

1

: a tangled twisted mass (as of vines or hairs) confusedly woven together : snarl

2

: a complicated or confused state or condition

Medical Definition

tangle

noun

tan·​gle ˈtaŋ-gəl 

: neurofibrillary tangle