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
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
The microfiber-esque texture, Dyson says, allows for the cones to pick up hair without tangles.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
McDavid appeared to catch an edge early in the second period after getting tangled up with teammate Mattias Ekholm and the Ducks' Ian Moore.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tangle
Noun
Lowery manifests that vision as a swirling tangle of red fabric that acquires an almost corporeal form, a mesmerizing jolt of color in the sumptuous darkness of DP Andrew Droz Palermo’s visuals (Rina Yang shot the concert scenes).
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
The microfiber-esque texture, Dyson says, allows for the cones to pick up hair without tangles.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
At the final horn Cerda and Milwaukee’s Walls got tangled up.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
McDavid appeared to catch an edge early in the second period after getting tangled up with teammate Mattias Ekholm and the Ducks' Ian Moore.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tangle
Noun
-
Keep your tone calm, but don’t leave room for confusion.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Some confusion led to a 50/50 jump ball, which Miami won and worked in a cross, and Germán Berterame headed it in at the back post.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After cooling atomic clocks that trap single ions such as aluminum and ytterbium to absolute zero, the researchers manipulated their quantum states with laser pulses.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Crews arrived on the scene and found the home fully engulfed in flames, with the mother and her six children trapped.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Late in Saturday’s game, with Inter Miami knotted 2-2 for the third game in a row, Messi added another magical moment to his career.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Josh Lowe knotted the score 8-8 with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly, and Trout’s two-run drive in the eighth off Camilo Doval put the Angels ahead 10-8 with his 31st multi-homer game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The conditions may also make coastal California feel more humid and muggy because of the loss of cooling fog and because warmer air holds more moisture, according to Swain.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Together, the synergy of Mercury and Neptune in Aries can feel like the restlessness of trying to make a decision while in a fog.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tangle. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
