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 The Coens won Best Original Screenplay, and Frances McDormand took her first Oscar home for playing the unforgettable Marge Gunderson, a Minnesotan cop who gets entangled in a car salesman’s deeply inept foray into the criminal world. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 In any case, somehow Collier and one or two others who caught up with him tied the bear to a tree, leaving the animal entangled in the rope and wallowing in exhaustion in the shallow water. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 Season 2 of the Peabody Award-winning series about two hockey rivals entangled in a heated romance is still months away from premiering. — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 An owner who becomes entangled in litigation could have to share materials, including financial ones connected to their sports assets, with the government as part of pretrial discovery. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for entangle

Verb

The San Antonio Spurs, who won Game 3 at the Garden, built a 29-point lead in Game 4 and appeared on the verge of knotting up the series.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
The home team dominated the first half with 12 shots to two for Miami, and five shots on goal to just one, but the score was knotted 1-1 at intermission.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of knot

Verb

Authorities said their immediate focus was on rescuing anyone still trapped inside and investigating the cause of the fire, which was not immediately known.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Does a frontline soldier trapped with poor comms in a dugout have enough time to study the choices and lodge a vote?

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of trap

Verb

Finding a job has rarely been easy, but in 2026, fierce competition, the growing use of artificial intelligence and a lack of trust in employers have further complicated the process.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
The details of the investigation are complicated, to say the least, but the short version is that two companies Walter controls, both insurance companies, used investor funds on private-credit deals, essentially making loans directly to businesses.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of complicate

Verb

Vikings rookie cornerback Da'Veawn Armstead had a punch thrown at him by the Ravens' Keyon Martin after the two got tangled up in one-on-one drills.

— Ren Clayton, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
The two candidates tangled over the future of single-family neighborhoods and Senate Bill 79, which requires that cities approve taller and denser development near certain public transit stops.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of tangle

Verb

The book follows the intertwining stories of two families, the Hamiltons (who emigrate from Ireland to Steinbeck’s beloved Salinas Valley) and the Trasks (who move to California from the East Coast), over the course of several generations.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026
Two decades later, Panettiere and Trachtenberg's legacies would tragically intertwine again with their respective deaths.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of intertwine

Verb

Democrats called the hearing a politically motivated attempt at entrapping Fauci and praised the scientist for his work during the pandemic.

— Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Democrats on the committee have echoed Fauci's argument that the hearing is meant to entrap him.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of entrap

Verb

This is partially because, for the brief duration of her success, she has been ensnared in a debate over her authenticity.

— Abigail Sylvor Greenberg, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
Abdeen was spared this round of scrutiny, but these leaders, and countless ordinary citizens, would be ensnared in the government’s new dragnet.

— Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of entangle

verb

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