as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
my mind's been in a tangle ever since I learned some disturbing information about an online acquaintance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to trap
to catch or hold as if in a net
was at last tangled in the web of lies that he had told to everyone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to knot
to twist together into a usually confused mass
that darn cat tangled the yarn I was trying to knit with
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tangle
Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
In 2021, Gefen and her colleagues published research in the journal Cerebral Cortex showing that super-agers are resistant to neurofibrillary, or tau, tangles, which are abnormal protein buildups tied to Alzheimer’s.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
This ultra-slim robot features a staggering 22,000Pa of HyperForce suction and a zero-tangling design that eats pet hair for breakfast.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tangle
Noun
As in his other novels, however, loose ends in many cases get tied up later on, and a seemingly chaotic tangle of yarns suddenly becomes cohesive.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
In 2021, Gefen and her colleagues published research in the journal Cerebral Cortex showing that super-agers are resistant to neurofibrillary, or tau, tangles, which are abnormal protein buildups tied to Alzheimer’s.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
He got tangled up with Colin Blackwell and immediately left the game.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
This ultra-slim robot features a staggering 22,000Pa of HyperForce suction and a zero-tangling design that eats pet hair for breakfast.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tangle
Noun
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Down comforters are a cozy addition to your bedding but can cause a bit of confusion in how to launder and care for them.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
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In lockdown and confusion and fear following an attack at nearby Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, the staff at Soul Café made pizza — cheese, mushroom and margherita.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In plays that feature women protagonists, the experience of feeling trapped is a recurring theme, whether characters are hemmed in by marriage, motherhood, gender roles, race, economic status or any number of societal norms.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Vlad returns to find the protagonist and John trapped in the burning cabin and pulls them out.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Titans used an 8-2 run to pull ahead 68-60 with 11 minutes to play, but CSUN countered with a 13-5 surge to knot the score at 73-all.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Tigers erased an 11-point halftime deficit in the third quarter, knotting the contest at 33-33 before running out of gas — just as Bama was mashing the pedal to the floor.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As temperatures cool into the 60s, the risk of fog will increase.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tangle. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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