enmesh

verb

en·​mesh in-ˈmesh 

en-

variants or less commonly immesh

i(m)-ˈmesh 

enmeshed also immeshed; enmeshing also immeshing; enmeshes also immeshes

transitive verb

: to catch or entangle in or as if in meshes

deeply enmeshed in the plot

enmeshment

i(m)-ˈmesh-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• catch up
• ensnare
• ensnarl
• entangle
• entoil
• entrap
• mesh
• net
• snare
• tangle
• trap

Examples of enmesh in a Sentence

soon after Eli Whitney had invented it, others copied his cotton gin, and he spent the rest of his life enmeshed in lawsuits trying to protect his invention

Recent Examples on the Web

The report brings to a close a nearly five-year investigation into Gaetz, who spent the majority of his time in Washington enmeshed in scandals, which ultimately derailed his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump as attorney general. —Kristine Gill, Fortune, 23 Dec. 2024

Advertisement Gaetz, a Republican first elected in 2017, spent the majority of his time in Washington enmeshed in scandals that ultimately derailed his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump as attorney general. —Farnoush Amiri and Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

Trump does not want to get enmeshed in wars and would much rather focus on domestic reforms. —Yan Xuetong, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024

The company is enmeshed in local culture and many of its employees have years of hospitality experience specifically within the City of Lights. —Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

enmesh

verb

en·​mesh in-ˈmesh 

: to entangle in or as if in meshes

was enmeshed in a series of disputes