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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 tangle
Martha Stewart, 25 May 2026
Both projects join Centennial Yards, the $5 billion redevelopment of a tangle of rail lines and parking lots known as the Gulch, at making strides before the World Cup matches begin.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
This way, your necklaces never tangle or touch each other.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tangle
Noun
Or, serve them with poached eggs, buttery toast, and a tangle of dressed greens for a satisfying dinner or brunch dish.
—Martha Stewart, 25 May 2026
Both projects join Centennial Yards, the $5 billion redevelopment of a tangle of rail lines and parking lots known as the Gulch, at making strides before the World Cup matches begin.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
Verb
Agitation is also slower and gentler so items don’t become tangled or stretched while getting cleaned.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
This way, your necklaces never tangle or touch each other.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tangle
Noun
-
Last year, Kennedy’s ACIP didn’t issue a guidance on COVID vaccines until September, then softened the recommendations for their use, sowing confusion as pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and patients tried to figure out who was eligible for the shots and whether insurers would pay.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
-
Lost in the Brazilian tears, anguish and confusion was just how clinical the Germans had been.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Part of a trash chute had to be cut open to rescue a woman trapped inside.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
The small animal was trapped nearly six feet down inside the tube, with no easy way out.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Grace Trahan started the rally with a pair of consecutive goals before Olivia Cipriano knotted the game at four on a slick find from Carmichael.—
Jason Cooke,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
-
The Stanley Cup Final shifted to Las Vegas for Game 3 with the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes knotted at 1-1 after splitting the opening two games in Raleigh.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Olney says more than half the growers Ridge buys zinfandel grapes from have names ending in ‘i,’ including Pagani, which is in a little bowl south of Kenwood where the fog comes in.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
-
There is snow on the mountains, dense fog that blankets crops in the fall, giving life to wine-country grapes, fires in the dry season and the occasional earthquake.—
Zinzi Clemmons,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tangle. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
