tangled

adjective

tan·​gled ˈtaŋ-gəld 

1

: existing in or giving the appearance of a state of utter disorder

2

: very involved : exceedingly complex

Synonyms

• baroque
• byzantine
• complex
• complicate
• complicated
• convoluted
• daedal
• elaborate
• intricate
• involute
• involved
• knotty
• labyrinthian
• labyrinthine
• sophisticated

Examples of tangled in a Sentence

it helps to have a lawyer to sort out the tangled contracts that home buyers typically have to contend with

Recent Examples on the Web

And the story, which finds Foster playing a therapist who becomes convinced that her patient’s suicide is actually a murder, was too tangled and intriguing to turn down. —Brent Lang, Variety, 20 May 2025

At the moment, the tangled web of the Heat’s payroll has far-reaching tentacles. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 May 2025

Through shocking testimonies from government insiders, confidential documents, and private audio recordings from the highest level of the military, BODYGUARD OF LIES exposes the tangled web of deception fed to the American public by the U.S. government during its 20-year war in Afghanistan. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2025

However, beneath this green boom lies a tangled web of challenges that businesses must navigate to thrive. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tangled

• angled
• dangled
• fangled
• jangled
• mangled
• spangled
• strangled
• wrangled
• disentangled
• entangled
• newfangled
• untangled