as in complicated
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
it helps to have a lawyer to sort out the tangled contracts that home buyers typically have to contend with
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in trapped
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 knotted
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 tangled
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
The country now owes tens of billions of dollars to a tangled web of creditors who are optimistic the US’ recent involvement could help speed a restructuring.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Carol Guzy, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
These can also get tangled in recycling equipment, though drop-off centers often take many types of clean, dry plastic bags.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tangled
Adjective
Trim any circling or tangled roots with clean shears.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
The country now owes tens of billions of dollars to a tangled web of creditors who are optimistic the US’ recent involvement could help speed a restructuring.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Security guards are tangled in the middle of ICE, migrants, observers, activists and press as courthouse dynamics play out in this new normal in America.
—Carol Guzy, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
These can also get tangled in recycling equipment, though drop-off centers often take many types of clean, dry plastic bags.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tangled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tangled
Adjective
-
The city’s journey toward sustainability is complicated.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The near-perfect dish was simple and not overly complicated.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Harry remains trapped in the past.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Consequently, those trapped either faced burning alive by the fire or death by bullets fired from the outside.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In any field of knowledge, there is a web of legitimacy, knotted together by visible signals of trust, such as degrees, publications, affiliations and accreditations.—
Micah Altman,
The Conversation,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Allen raced Buffalo into field goal range in that time and former Denver kicker Matt Prater knotted the game at 30 in the closing seconds.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
For an uncrewed test flight in 2014, called EFT-1, the mission team outfitted an Orion capsule with a heat shield applied in the same manner as in the Apollo era — in an intricate honeycomb-like structure.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The Shark Bay bottlenose dolphins form lifelong relationships that form some of the most intricate social structures in the animal world.—
Hasmik Kirakosyan,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Zamorano was enmeshed in the community of Altadena, both as an educator and as a writer.—
Erica Zora Wrightson,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The board has been enmeshed in controversy with other countries over the language of its charter.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Despite differing views on a variety of security issues, the group, like Gilpatric’s, reached a clear consensus: nuclear proliferation by any additional country would diminish U.S. power, complicate strategic planning, and increase the likelihood of nuclear use, accidents, and disasters.—
MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, Ederheimer added that mandatory minimum sentences may not actually encourage violent offenders not to commit crimes, further adding to the complex balance of maintaining justice and community safety.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Capital cases are more complex and require more time to prepare.—
MICHAEL R. SISAK,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tangled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tangled. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
