entanglement

noun

en·​tan·​gle·​ment in-ˈtaŋ-gəl-mənt 

en-

1

a

: 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

Synonyms of entanglement

• tangle
• trap
• labyrinth
• web
• maze

Examples of entanglement in a Sentence

his life is greatly complicated by his romantic entanglements

Recent Examples on the Web

While his hit-and-run is investigated as a hate crime, the narrator, who is teaching a seminar on autofiction, is more focused on his entanglement with his colleague, Lucie. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

The birds face mounting threats, including entanglement in fishing nets, plastic pollution, disease outbreaks and competition with fisheries for food. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Deadline understands that the couples, living together in a house, Big Brother-style, must try and figure out who is in a relationship, while keeping their own romantic entanglements secret in order to win. — Peter White, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Another entanglement comes in the form of one of the financier-producers. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing entanglement

• quantum entanglement