1
as in tangling
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
2
as in trapping
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 complicating
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 entangling
Yet the same fisheries that drive economic value also generate high levels of bycatch, entangling marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, and sharks in their operations.
—
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office is set to begin training deputies on the Grappler system, a pursuit intervention device that disables a suspect's vehicle by entangling its tires rather than forcing a crash.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Brasília has pursued a strategy of diversifying partnerships to preserve its autonomy—maintaining cordial ties with all great powers while entangling with none.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
But the power can still be politically entangling.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Linking quantum computers to create powerful, high-speed quantum networks involves entangling atoms through a fiber cable.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
German military drills last month in the northern port city of Hamburg demonstrated how like a spider, a large military drone shot a net at a smaller one in mid-flight, entangling its propellers and forcing it to the ground, where a robotic dog trotted over to seek possible explosives.
—Reuters, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office is set to begin training deputies on the Grappler system, a pursuit intervention device that disables a suspect's vehicle by entangling its tires rather than forcing a crash.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Brasília has pursued a strategy of diversifying partnerships to preserve its autonomy—maintaining cordial ties with all great powers while entangling with none.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
But the power can still be politically entangling.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Linking quantum computers to create powerful, high-speed quantum networks involves entangling atoms through a fiber cable.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
German military drills last month in the northern port city of Hamburg demonstrated how like a spider, a large military drone shot a net at a smaller one in mid-flight, entangling its propellers and forcing it to the ground, where a robotic dog trotted over to seek possible explosives.
—Reuters, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entangling
Verb
-
Lightweight fabrics tumble more evenly, reducing the chance of tangling.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This will help prevent tangling and stretching during the wash cycle.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday afternoon, the elderly driver first hit a bicyclist, then continued for about a block before crashing her 2023 Mercedes Benz C class into the bakery section of the grocery store, trapping multiple people beneath her car, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The woman driving a Toyota Prius hit the bicyclist shortly after noon and then continued for another block before swerving into the bakery section of a 99 Ranch Market and then coming to a stop, trapping several people underneath the vehicle, police and fire officials said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Further complicating efforts to ensure a fair trial is the rhetoric swirling around Kirk’s death because of his political prominence.—
Matthew Brown,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But a longtime party member now running as an independent is complicating those plans.—
Marissa Martinez,
NBC news,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Former Broncos kicker Matt Prater nailed a 50-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in regulation, knotting it up at 30-all.—
Arnie Stapleton,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Jumpers with long hair often wear a buff, which is a cloth under their helmet to keep hair from tangling with equipment or knotting in the wind gusts, Stewart explained.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That observation drove home for me how ensnaring this oppression must feel, how vast the spatial footprint of ICE’s boot.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Greek name is of uncertain origin, but it’s often linked to ideas of binding, entangling, or ensnaring—reflecting the Sirens’ deadly allure.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This film presents a timely, global issue by intertwining it with a deeply personal experience and the hope that young love inspires.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The film explores the profound themes of intergenerational trauma and the presence of the gaze of death, intertwining these women.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Entangling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entangling. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
