untangle

verb

un·​tan·​gle ˌən-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

untangled; untangling; untangles

transitive verb

: to loose from tangles or entanglement : straighten out

untangle a knot

untangle a mystery

Synonyms

• disentangle
• ravel (out)
• unbraid
• unlay
• unravel
• unsnarl
• untwine
• untwist
• unweave

Choose the Right Synonym for untangle

extricate, disentangle, untangle, disencumber, disembarrass mean to free from what binds or holds back.

extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things.

disentangling fact from fiction

untangle a web of deceit

disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

Examples of untangle in a Sentence

She carefully untangled the child's hair.

He untangled the garden hose.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her transcripts of their conversations can read like early drafts of movie dialogue between two erudite thinkers, untangling the convoluted knots of difficult family histories. —Evelyn McDonnell 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025

This phone call helps cool temperatures, but the two sides must still untangle the web of structural disputes that remain: market access, data sovereignty, digital infrastructure, and the growing rift over AI and semiconductors. —Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 23 May 2025

Chelsea untangled its women’s side and sold it to another intra-group company, Blueco 22 Properties Limited, in 2022-23 at a £200 million valuation. —Asli Pelit, New York Times, 21 May 2025

The standout hour puts Jamie in conversation with a psychologist (Erin Doherty) who gradually untangles the mess of influences that turned a seemingly normal middle schooler violent. —Judy Berman, Time, 3 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for untangle

• angle
• bangle
• dangle
• jangle
• mangle
• strangle
• tangle
• wrangle
• disentangle
• entangle
• quadrangle
• triangle

Kids Definition

untangle

verb

un·​tan·​gle ˌən-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

ˈən-

1

: to remove a tangle from : disentangle

untangle a knot

2

: to straighten out : resolve

untangle a mystery