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tangle

verb
tan·​gle | \ ˈtaÅ‹-gÉ™l How to pronounce tangle (audio) \
tangled; tangling\ ˈtaÅ‹-​g(É™-​)liÅ‹ How to pronounce tangling (audio) \

Definition of tangle

 (Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to unite or knit together in intricate confusion
2 : to involve so as to hamper, obstruct, or embarrass
3 : to seize and hold in or as if in a snare : entrap

intransitive verb

1 : to become entangled
2 : to interact in a contentious or conflicting way

tangle

noun (1)

Definition of tangle (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a matted, twisted mass : snarl
2a : a complicated or confused state or condition
b : a state of perplexity or complete bewilderment
3 : a serious altercation : dispute
4 : neurofibrillary tangle

tangle

noun (2)

Definition of tangle (Entry 3 of 3)

: a large seaweed
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about tangle

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Synonyms & Antonyms for tangle

Synonyms: Verb

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

Antonyms: Verb

disentangle, untangle

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Examples of tangle in a Sentence

Verb

 This fishing line tangles easily. was at last tangled in the web of lies that he had told to everyone

First Known Use of tangle

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun (1)

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1536, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tangle

Verb

Middle English tanglen, tagilen, probably short for entanglen, from Anglo-French entagler, entangler to prosecute (for), implicate

Noun (2)

of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse thǫngull tangle, thang seaweed

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More Definitions for tangle

tangle

verb
How to pronounce tangle (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of tangle

: to become or cause (something) to become twisted together

See the full definition for tangle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tangle

verb
tan·​gle | \ ˈtaÅ‹-gÉ™l How to pronounce tangle (audio) \
tangled; tangling

Kids Definition of tangle

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to twist or become twisted together into a mass that is hard to straighten out again

tangle

noun

Kids Definition of tangle (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a mass that is twisted together and hard to straighten a tangle of yarn a tangle of branches
2 : a complicated or confused state

tangle

noun
tan·​gle | \ ˈtaÅ‹-gÉ™l How to pronounce tangle (audio) \

Medical Definition of tangle

: neurofibrillary tangle

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More from Merriam-Webster on tangle

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with tangle

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tangle

Spanish Central: Translation of tangle

Nglish: Translation of tangle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of tangle for Arabic Speakers

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