entangle

verb

en·​tan·​gle in-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

en-

entangled; entangling; entangles

transitive verb

1

a

: to wrap or twist together : interweave

b

: ensnare

2

a

: to involve in a perplexing or troublesome situation

became entangled in a lawsuit

b

: to make complicated

the story is entangled with legends

entangler

in-ˈtaŋ-g(ə-)lər 

en-

noun

Synonyms

• interlace
• intertwine
• intertwist
• interweave
• knot
• snarl
• tangle

Examples of entangle in a Sentence

in the process of taking down the Christmas tree, we managed to entangle the string of lights into a hopeless mess of wires

the young runaway gradually became entangled in a web of lies

Recent Examples on the Web

The film stars Joey King as Zara, a young woman working as an assistant for movie star Chris Cole (Efron, 36), who becomes romantically entangled with Zara’s mother (Kidman, 56). —Kaitlyn Huamani, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024

The Kansas City Fire Department responded to the report in the 5900 block of Indiana at approximately around 8 p.m. Upon arrival, the crew found the individual suspended upside down from his foot, entangled in the tree. —Lonyae Coulter, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French entangler — more at tangle entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

entangle

verb

en·​tan·​gle in-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

1

: to make tangled or confused

2

: to involve in a tangle or a confusing or difficult situation

entanglement

-mənt

noun