entangle

verb

en·​tan·​gle in-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

en-

entangled; entangling; entangles

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 

en-

noun

Synonyms of entangle

• knot
• tangle
• intertwine

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

Franks and Mike Jackson got entangled in the Panthers’ first fight last month; Jackson sent Franks’ helmet 15 feet in the air as a result. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

He’d also have been dismayed to see China entangled in bitter trade disputes with the US and Europe. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Suffocated by a pressure to perform Becoming entangled with one’s audience meant that followers’ reactions – whether positive or negative – often started to feel like a burden. — Julianna Pillemer, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026

From that point on, Stuart was entangled with the fate of the universe. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for entangle

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

Kids Definition

entangle

verb

en·​tan·​gle in-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

1

: to make tangled or confused

2

: to involve in a tangle or a confusing or difficult situation

entanglement

-mənt

noun