untangle

verb

un·​tan·​gle ˌən-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

untangled; untangling; untangles

transitive verb

: to loose from tangles or entanglement : straighten out

untangle a knot

untangle a mystery

Synonyms of untangle

• unravel

Choose the Right Synonym for untangle

extricate, disentangle, untangle, disencumber, disembarrass mean to free from what binds or holds back.

extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things.

disentangling fact from fiction

untangle a web of deceit

disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

Examples of untangle in a Sentence

She carefully untangled the child's hair.

He untangled the garden hose.

Recent Examples on the Web

As interest in the film continued to grow, Dennis became determined to untangle the complicated rights, and some detective work led him to discover that the movie was now owned by Amazon/MGM. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 July 2026

In the background while making various shows in the following years, Antosca’s producing partner Alex Hedlund worked to untangle the rights, eventually obtaining the directors’ blessing. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 July 2026

The goal is to untangle this regulatory puzzle, which currently creates significant variability for AI developers. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Watch fishermen untangle nets and potter about their wooden caiques as you dine. — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for untangle

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

Kids Definition

untangle

verb

un·​tan·​gle ˌən-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

ˈən-

1

: to remove a tangle from : disentangle

untangle a knot

2

: to straighten out : resolve

untangle a mystery