UNTANGLE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'untangle' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of untangle are disembarrass , disencumber , disentangle , and extricate . While all these words mean "to free from what binds or holds back," disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things. // disentangling fact from fiction // untangle a web of deceit

Q: When might 'disembarrass' be a better fit than 'untangle'?

The meanings of disembarrass and untangle largely overlap; however, disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders. // disembarrassed herself of her advisers

Q: When can 'disencumber' be used instead of 'untangle'?

The synonyms disencumber and untangle are sometimes interchangeable, but disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down. // an article disencumbered of jargon

Q: When is it sensible to use 'extricate' instead of 'untangle'?

The words extricate and untangle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation. // extricated himself from financial difficulties

untangle

verb

ˌən-ˈtaŋ-gəl

Definition of untangle

as in to unravel

to separate the various strands of gently untangled the baby's hair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disentangle

to set free from entanglement or difficulty I was finally able to untangle myself from my credit problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb untangle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of untangle are disembarrass, disencumber, disentangle, and extricate. While all these words mean "to free from what binds or holds back," disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things.

disentangling fact from fiction

untangle a web of deceit

When might disembarrass be a better fit than untangle?

The meanings of disembarrass and untangle largely overlap; however, disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

When can disencumber be used instead of untangle?

The synonyms disencumber and untangle are sometimes interchangeable, but disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

When is it sensible to use extricate instead of untangle?

The words extricate and untangle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

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 untangle Without spoiling anything, Annie spends her time on the island untangling her family lore and figuring out what comes next—all in a place where getting around requires a boat. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 20 Aug. 2026 Japan, meanwhile, has spent the past several years untangling another mess. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026 The architecture morphs into a tangled digital knot that only expensive crisis engineers can untangle. — Ihor Hamal, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Bellamy and Evans’ prenup could now take center stage as the couple untangles their finances. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for untangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for untangle

Verb

While there is no suggestion of any kind of confrontation, there were tensions between different factions in the dressing room as Rosenior’s tenure unravelled.

— Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
From there, secrets start to unravel and answers to the mystery of how their friends can afford a lifestyle of seemingly limitless fun are revealed.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of unravel

Verb

His remarks escalated a confrontation over New York’s efforts to disentangle local police from federal immigration enforcement.

— María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Financial intermediaries and criminal fraud enterprises are coming into closer proximity, which is making their activities harder to disentangle and disrupt.

— Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of disentangle

Verb

Notably, Bowman said the Starling report found the Fed regulatory problems were not caused by a bipartisan 2018 rollback of bank regulation that freed large regional banks like SVB from the toughest oversight.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
Reducing the information burden on pilots could also free aircraft bandwidth for otlher mission tasks.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of free

Verb

British driver Ollie Millroy thanked rival Loek Hartog for saving his life after the Dutch racer stopped and pulled him from a burning Ferrari during a China GT Championship race in Shanghai on Saturday.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
This was early November, three weeks before the famous formation change (to a 5-3-2) at Manchester City in their next away fixture which saved Leeds’ season.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of save

Verb

And by engaging with these powerful militaries, the group reinforced its self-image as a major regional player that was uniquely capable of liberating the Muslim world from corrupting American and Israeli influence.

— April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026
While maybe not what anyone would call a feminist show, Charlie’s Angels did come along right when women were first being liberated on network TV.

— Michael Callahan, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of liberate

Verb

Keep in mind, it can be applied to both in-store and online purchases, and can be redeemed twice.

— Melissa Willets, Parents, 17 Sep. 2026
The Offer is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash or any other product, benefit, or alternative.

— Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of redeem

Verb

Talented operators, the kind of people who joined precisely because they were trusted to act, begin to disengage.

— Abdulrahman Hammad, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Pilot declared an emergency once autopilot disengaged The pilot and six passengers were aboard a 2010 Pilatus PC-12 Next Generation aircraft that day when the plane crashed about 12 miles northeast of Recluse, Wyoming, near Gillette.

— Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of disengage

Browse Nearby Words

untamed

untangle

untangled

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“Untangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untangle. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of untangle

verb

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