entangle

[ en-tang-guh l ]

/ ɛnˈtæŋ gəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR entangle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), en·tan·gled, en·tan·gling.

to make tangled; ensnarl; intertwine.

to involve in or as in a tangle; ensnare; enmesh: to be entangled by intrigue.

to involve in difficulties.

to confuse or perplex.

Nearby words

Origin of entangle

First recorded in 1530–40; en-¹ + tangle¹

SYNONYMS FOR entangle

3 See involve.

4 bewilder.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR entangle ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

en·tan·gle·a·ble, adjectiveen·tan·gled·ly, adverben·tan·gled·ness, nounen·tan·gler, noun

en·tan·gling·ly, adverbin·ter·en·tan·gle, verb (used with object), in·ter·en·tan·gled, in·ter·en·tan·gling.un·en·tan·gle·a·ble, adjectiveun·en·tan·gled, adjectiveun·en·tan·gling, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for entangle

We entangle them in a web of fear, of helplessness and anguish.
Introducing Tzipi Livni to the Occupation|Avner Gvaryahu|October 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I ask nothing better, Dom Claude; but what if I entangle myself in some villanous affair?
Notre-Dame de Paris|Victor Hugo
It was in vain that Metternich endeavoured to entangle the new Czar in the diplomatic web that had so long held his predecessor.
History of Modern Europe 1972-1878|C. A. Fyffe
They are gathered together to hear what He will say to their last attempt to entangle Him.
Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of Matthew|John Monro Gibson

It may be she will seek to entangle you in this plot, and make you one of the conspirators as the price of her favour.
The Intriguers|William Le Queux
The great danger was that they might entangle Austria in a war with Russia.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1|Various

British Dictionary definitions for entangle

entangle

/ (ɪnˈtæŋɡəl) /

verb (tr)

to catch or involve in or as if in a tangle; ensnare or enmesh

to make tangled or twisted; snarl

to make complicated; confuse

to involve in difficulties; entrap

Derived Formsentangler, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012