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 attack on Shapiro seemed rooted in Balmer’s mental illness, but it was also entangled with the Governor’s political stances and his religious faith. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025

Two human skeletons lie entangled on the rough earth – the arms of one wrapped around the other’s head, as though protecting them from danger. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 30 Nov. 2025

She is draped in a golden blanket and entangled in crawling vines and leaves. —Arkansas Online, 30 Nov. 2025

Lately, though, the Made-in-America movement has become entangled in politics. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 29 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