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 next

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

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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 The 12-team Playoff’s debut has raised several talking points to untangle. —

Sam Khan Jr., The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025 To help untangle this mystery, in 2022 the World Wildlife Fund launched an initiative called ShellBank, which aims to use genetic analysis to trace sea turtle products to their points of origin. —

Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024 How Turkey became the world capital of hair transplants Trying to figure out why Turkey has become such a force in hair transplants is a bit like trying to untangle a chicken or the egg scenario, or in this case: What came first, Turkey or the transplant? —

Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Dec. 2024 One of the first things Trump can do in office is secure the border and begin to untangle our messy immigration process. —

Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for untangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for untangle

Verb

But just over three weeks into Trump’s second presidency, much of that unity has unraveled.

— Christian Edwards, Helen Regan and Michael Rios, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
Your husband starts his political rise in the late ‘50s, tasked with unraveling the game show scandal.

— Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025