1 ensnarl | Definition of ensnarl

ensnarl

verb
en·​snarl | \ in-ˈsnär(-É™)l How to pronounce ensnarl (audio) , en-\
ensnarled; ensnarling; ensnarls

Definition of ensnarl

transitive verb

: to involve in a snarl

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Synonyms & Antonyms for ensnarl

Synonyms

catch up, enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entangle, entoil, entrap, mesh, net, snare, tangle, trap

Antonyms

disentangle, untangle

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Examples of ensnarl in a Sentence

for two years the couple was ensnarled in the red tape of an international adoption

Recent Examples on the Web

Yost is leading a wide-ranging investigation into Cuyahoga County government and the jail that has ensnarled members of Budish’s administration. Eric Heisig, cleveland.com, "Armond Budish, other Cuyahoga County officials rip into Ohio AG Dave Yost’s latest legal move to gain control in opioid litigation," 30 Aug. 2019 The world seems to be careening into more and more disorder, and American politics in particular is hopelessly ensnarled in partisan dysfunction. Sean Illing, Vox, "Intellectuals have said democracy is failing for a century. They were wrong.," 20 Dec. 2018 The controversies that have ensnarled Chang have run the gamut, from budget cuts and school closures to turbulent leadership at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School. James Vaznis, BostonGlobe.com, "At midpoint of his term, Tommy Chang is being tested," 18 Feb. 2018 McCabe has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, but is now ensnarled in a criminal investigation by the US Attorney's office in DC based on the inspector general's findings -- a searing reminder of the gravity of the office's powers. Laura Jarrett, CNN, "DOJ Inspector General report on FBI handling of Clinton email probe entering final stages," 16 May 2018 Yet O'Callaghan now lands in the thick of the highest-profile investigation at the Justice Department, ensnarling former Trump campaign associates. Laura Jarrett, CNN, "Rosenstein gets new top deputy for Russia probe," 3 Apr. 2018 The lyrics were indecipherable, ensnarled with music that shoved silence into the farthest corners. David Roderick, San Francisco Chronicle, "State Lines: California poetry: David Hernandez’s ‘Decibel House’," 10 Jan. 2018 Flight cancellations continue to grow after Harvey Flights have been grounded at both of Houston's busiest airports as Hurricane Harvey's remnants continued to ensnarl airline schedules in Texas. Editors, USA TODAY, "5 things you need to know Monday," 28 Aug. 2017 Perhaps more importantly, though, not long after the sale closed, Rybolovlev became ensnarled in a divorce from his wife Elena, a toxic spill that splashed on for seven years. Glenn Garvin, miamiherald, "Donald Trump and the mansion that no one wanted. Then came a Russian fertilizer king," 27 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ensnarl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ensnarl

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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