untangle

verb

un·​tan·​gle ˌən-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

untangled; untangling; untangles

transitive verb

: to loose from tangles or entanglement : straighten out

untangle a knot

untangle a mystery

Synonyms

• unravel

Choose the Right Synonym for untangle

extricate, disentangle, untangle, disencumber, disembarrass mean to free from what binds or holds back.

extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things.

disentangling fact from fiction

untangle a web of deceit

disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

Examples of untangle in a Sentence

She carefully untangled the child's hair.

He untangled the garden hose.

Recent Examples on the Web

With two powerful suction levels, this vacuum tackles deep cleaning on both carpets and hard floors, and its brush head effortlessly lifts debris while untangling stubborn hair. —Toni Sutton, People.com, 28 June 2025

While more research is needed to untangle the exact mechanisms and timelines, the findings suggest a need for integrated mental and physical healthcare in people with autoimmune conditions. —New Atlas, 24 June 2025

At the heart of it all is one major hurdle — untangling the operational complexity that prevents AI agents from delivering on their promise. —Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

Even some in good standing struggle to untangle the system. —Ali Martin, Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for untangle

• angle
• bangle
• dangle
• jangle
• mangle
• strangle
• tangle
• wrangle
• disentangle
• entangle
• quadrangle
• triangle

Kids Definition

untangle

verb

un·​tan·​gle ˌən-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

ˈən-

1

: to remove a tangle from : disentangle

untangle a knot

2

: to straighten out : resolve

untangle a mystery