tangle
verb (used with object)
to bring together into a mass of confusedly interlaced or intertwisted threads, strands, or other like parts; snarl.
had tangled
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past perfectof tangle.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Not far away, I had tangled a dozen feet of line in the boughs of a hemlock tree—for the third time that morning.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026
Ordaz and Falcón had tangled midway through the first half of the chippy game with Ordaz apparently making contact with Falcón’s face, sending him to the turf.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2025
Rodri was not the only City player to lose his cool against Forest, with Ederson also angrily butting heads with Awoniyi after they had tangled in the box.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2023
But Wilkie, who had tangled with Takano for months on policy issues and the committee’s oversight of his agency, immediately took a personal interest in the case, investigators found.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 10, 2020
Hazel seemed warm and very alive, not like the ghosts or the other reborn mortals Leo had tangled with.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
