entangle

1 of 2

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

entangler

2 of 2

noun

en·​tan·​gler -g(ə)lə(r) 

plural -s

: one that entangles

Synonyms of entangle

Verb

• knot
• tangle
• intertwine

Examples of entangle in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Garden City follows Dan Day (Walter Hauser), a quiet resident of Garden City, Kansas, whose life becomes unexpectedly entangled in a plot targeting the city’s Somali Muslim community. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Biologists are hoping to save a humpback whale last seen entangled in a fishing net off the coast of San Pedro. — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Starting in late 2025, however, the public began to learn how deeply parts of the judiciary had become entangled in corruption. — Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

In addition to sound interference, whales face physical risks from being struck by boats and becoming entangled in fishing gear. — Timothy Randhir, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Rhymes for entangle

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

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