entanglement
noun
en-\
Definition of entanglement
1a : the action of entangling : the state of being entangled
b : something that entangles, confuses, or ensnares a project delayed by legal entanglements
2 : the condition of being deeply involved their entanglement in politics
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Synonyms for entanglement
Synonyms
mesh(es), morass, net, noose, quagmire, quicksand, snare, tanglement, toil(s), trap, web
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Examples of entanglement in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like his predecessor, Barack Obama, Trump is struggling to square his desires to quickly get out of foreign entanglements with the reality on the battlefield. — Bloomberg.com, "Trump Finds Himself Trapped Again by a War He Campaigned Against," 6 Apr. 2018 It also could be increased fishing pressure with more gear in the water, and even just more reporting of entanglements. — Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, "Whale strandings off Washington-Oregon coast highest in nearly 2 decades," 2 July 2018 But anyone who has been around these parts much recognized that many of the players on stage at the Perelman Theater Friday night have had various kinds of professional and personal entanglements over the years. — Peter Dobrin, Philly.com, "Pamela Frank, Jaime Laredo wallow in Brahms for friends and family," 12 May 2018 But setting limits on these relationships protects both them and you from unprofessional entanglements. — New York Times, "Can a Professor Pay for a Student’s Counseling?," 19 June 2018 The new school board and its new general counsel, Liz Large, have said repeatedly that getting a better handle on the district's many legal entanglements is a high priority. — Bethany Barnes, OregonLive.com, "Portland Public Schools ends fight over $1 million verdict in racism case," 26 Apr. 2018 An entanglement can kill a whale quickly by drowning it, or over the course of many painful months. — Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, "These whales will be extinct in 25 years, scientists say — unless we act now to save them," 20 Apr. 2018 An entanglement can kill a whale quickly by drowning it, or over the course of many painful months. — Sarah Kaplan, BostonGlobe.com, "N. Atlantic right whales will be extinct in 25 years, scientists say - unless we act now to save them," 20 Apr. 2018 As Netanyahu’s legal entanglements mounted in recent weeks, Israel-Palestinian peace efforts became a stage for a rare sign of public friction between the two leaders. — Bloomberg.com, "Netanyahu Tries to Leave Graft Charges Behind as He Visits Trump," 4 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entanglement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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