ENTANGLE Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

entangle

verb

in-ˈtaŋ-gəl

Definition of entangle

as in to knot

to twist together into a usually confused mass in the process of taking down the Christmas tree, we managed to entangle the string of lights into a hopeless mess of wires

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to trap

to catch or hold as if in a net the young runaway gradually became entangled in a web of lies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to complicate

to make complex or difficult the history of Alexander the Great is entangled by variant accounts of his exploits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of entangle Two brothers pursuing the American dream become entangled in a dangerous operation involving corruption, violence and the Russian mafia, while betrayal threatens their bond. — Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026 During the pandemic, mRNA became almost synonymous with COVID-19 vaccines — and thus entangled with the mandates and restrictions that many Americans resented. — Sally C. Pipes, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 Emma and Lizzie belong to a wealthy New England family and were once close, but as Lizzie and her rebellious housemaid Bridget Sullivan (Vicky Krieps) become deeply entangled, their relationship strains. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026 Beauty in Black is a drama following Polidore’s Kimmie, a Chicago strip-club dancer, whose life becomes entangled with Mallory (Crystle Stewart), the powerful head of a hair-care empire. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for entangle

Verb

The match entered the break knotted at 1-1 before the two sides traded goals just six minutes into the second half.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Mestemaker overcame an interception on Oklahoma State's first drive of the third quarter by throwing passes of 27 and 40 yards on the Cowboys' next drive to set up his 4-yard scoring toss to Terrence Lewis to knot the score at 21.

— CBS News, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of knot

Verb

In 2023, a blizzard dumped unprecedented amounts of snow, trapping people inside for days.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Emergency crews in Sea Bright, New Jersey, rescued a woman and her dog after their vehicle became trapped in floodwaters, ABC7 reported.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of trap

Verb

The strikes marked a sharp escalation in fighting between the two South Asian countries and risked further complicating international efforts to ease tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

— MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
This has been complicated further by the Iran war energy shock which is a harsh wake-up call for Southeast Asia.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of complicate

Verb

Getting tangled up in antlers isn't my idea of an enjoyable afternoon.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Pawlikowski’s mother and father, also named Zula and Wiktor, whose unmanageable love had kept them tangled and disentangled for decades, took their own lives in 1989, as the Cold War that had cast its chill upon their time was beginning to thaw.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of tangle

Verb

Revenue was only around $8 billion at the time, and the league was enmeshed in controversy, from Spygate to concussion hearings to a pending lockout.

— Will Leitch, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026
The Commission is currently enmeshed in a legal tangle with Walt Disney Co and ABC.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of enmesh

Verb

Migration and crime Immigration has become increasingly intertwined in Ireland's political debate with concerns over housing, crime and rapidly changing demographics in a country that was drastically more homogeneous a generation ago.

— Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
From there, relationships between characters from different generations intertwine as each one faces their own decisions.

— Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of intertwine

Verb

Even so, by the end of 2024, the agents had enough evidence to pursue a sweeping bribery probe that could ensnare top lawmakers of both political parties.

— William Turton, ProPublica, 22 Sep. 2026
The case revolves around his connection to shuttered Banco Master, a case that has ensnared high-ranking politicians and judiciary members.

— MAURICIO SAVARESE, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of ensnare

Browse Nearby Words

entails

entangle

entangled

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Style

“Entangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entangle. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of entangle

verb

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