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

The two credit card giants have been entangled in a lawsuit brought by retailers for the last 20 years that alleged the companies have fixed the price of interchange fees — a large portion of the fees merchants pay when a customer makes a purchase with a credit card. —Gordon Ebanks, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025

Hummel points out that much of this antisemitism is entangled in a theological divide over Israel. —Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025

Linking quantum computers to create powerful, high-speed quantum networks involves entangling atoms through a fiber cable. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025

And after the stranger finally emerges, Judith’s life becomes entangled with his own in a terrifying way. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025

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