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

• disentangle
• ravel (out)
• unbraid
• unlay
• unravel
• unsnarl
• untwine
• untwist
• unweave

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

The film focuses on three sisters: María (Marta Méndez Cross), Lucía (Valeria Maldonado) and Sofía (Virginia Novello), who try to untangle their complex relationship — and years of estrangement —while toggling between their Americanized life in the U.S. and their family’s Mexican homeland. —Arturo Conde, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025

Our writer untangles a mystery dug up by the turtle counters. —Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 20 Feb. 2025

Separating out jewelry and untangling chains is frustrating and runs the risk of damaging delicate metals. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

Together these apprentices will have to learn the ropes while trying to untangle the inn’s secrets. —Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

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