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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of entangling
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
The new Netflix India original Saare Jahan Se Accha is the fictional story of the entangling worlds of various spies from India, Pakistan, Russia and America.
—Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
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
The new Netflix India original Saare Jahan Se Accha is the fictional story of the entangling worlds of various spies from India, Pakistan, Russia and America.
—Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entangling
Verb
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Laces can be washed in the same load, ideally tucked into another laundry bag to prevent tangling.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
29 Dec. 2025
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The large brush roll resists tangling hair and pet fur, which eliminates the need to stop and pull items off the brush—and also eliminates a clogged pipe.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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If those steps don’t work, Kellum said other options might include trapping and potentially using nonlethal projectiles, such as paint balls, to chase away, haze and deter them.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Jan. 2026
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Skies clear out Tuesday night and, without the blanket of heat-trapping clouds, temperatures will drop even more by Wednesday morning, with lows near freezing.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Elhawary acknowledged the billionaire tax proposal is a complicating factor in discussions about taxes, which is already a politically fraught issue.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Partnerships between public and private entities that were forged during the early days continue to support the event, but as with any public gathering, challenges from the outside were complicating their plans.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Among our artisans are former OB-GYNs, judges and software engineers now knotting rugs to feed families.—
Nargis Habib,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Montespan’s rivals accused her of ensnaring the king using the dark art of potions.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
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Out of her depth, Diane digs deeper into the investigation, her determination to uncover the truth revealing a web of corruption and danger at the highest levels, ensnaring Diane, her family and all those around her.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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Populist threats to democracy and energy, climate, migration, and security challenges are intertwining in ways that test the capacity of governments everywhere.—
EKREM IMAMOGLU,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Entangling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entangling. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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