1
as in tangled
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in trapped
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
3
as in complicated
to make complex or difficult
the history of Alexander the Great is entangled by variant accounts of his exploits
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Recent Examples of entangled
Once entangled, the propellers lose mobility, causing the UAV to fall from the sky.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026
The move comes as the state remains entangled in a legal fight over its maps after courts required the creation of a second majority-black congressional district.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2026
In 2017, a whale that had become entangled in fishing lines in the North Atlantic was freed by an experienced whale rescuer, then promptly killed the man with a flick of its fluke.
—Robin Romm, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Sylvie must confront her deepest secrets, use all her wits to survive and uncover why, of all people, she’s been entangled in this elaborate terror plot.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
The case quickly became entangled in political controversy due to Levy’s relationship with then-congressman Gary Condit, who was married.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
In such a machine, these qubits are entangled with one another.
—Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Apr. 2026
Once inside the Crawford home, Lowen becomes entangled with Verity’s husband Jeremy (Josh Hartnett) and uncovers an unfinished manuscript that may reveal disturbing truths about the author.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
So why get entangled in today’s troubles?
—Susan Page, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026
The move comes as the state remains entangled in a legal fight over its maps after courts required the creation of a second majority-black congressional district.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2026
In 2017, a whale that had become entangled in fishing lines in the North Atlantic was freed by an experienced whale rescuer, then promptly killed the man with a flick of its fluke.
—Robin Romm, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Sylvie must confront her deepest secrets, use all her wits to survive and uncover why, of all people, she’s been entangled in this elaborate terror plot.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
The case quickly became entangled in political controversy due to Levy’s relationship with then-congressman Gary Condit, who was married.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
In such a machine, these qubits are entangled with one another.
—Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Apr. 2026
Once inside the Crawford home, Lowen becomes entangled with Verity’s husband Jeremy (Josh Hartnett) and uncovers an unfinished manuscript that may reveal disturbing truths about the author.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
So why get entangled in today’s troubles?
—Susan Page, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entangled
Verb
-
The animal—forty feet long and weighing twelve tons, roughly the scale of a city bus—was tangled up in fishing net and rope.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
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No punches, but the two tangled, spilling toward the sideline as Okongwu tried to separate them.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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For too long, the conversation about digital assets has been trapped between price speculation and regulatory anxiety.—
Bob Diamond,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
And that duality is what makes the concept so tempting to explore more deeply — particularly through the interiority of a complex woman who will be literally trapped on the big screen.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Spirit had hoped to morph into a smaller operation this summer, but those plans were complicated as jet fuel prices spiked.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
3 May 2026
-
The administration has signaled that proposals from Tehran have gotten incrementally better as the negotiations have dragged on, but that disorganization of leadership has complicated the process.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The Wild knotted up a wild one at 4-4.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
-
However, the advantage was short lived as Indianapolis knotted the score in the bottom of the frame and then added the decisive tally one inning later.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The nation is enmeshed in record levels of debt, which surpassed $39 trillion in March, and critics wonder how Bessent can persuade Americans to save for their futures when the government itself is drowning in debt.—
Fatima Hussein,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The Wireless festival has been enmeshed in controversy ever since West was announced as its headliner, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer voicing disapproval within days.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Emails released earlier this year by the Department of Justice show the extent to which the relationship was professionally intertwined, too.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
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This is also a good day to push a relationship into something more intimate or more committed, because affection and passion are intertwined.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Entangled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entangled. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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