tangled

[tang-guhld]

adjective

1. snarled, interlaced, or mixed up.

   tangled thread.

2. very complicated, intricate, or involved.

   tangled bureaucratic procedures.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tangled¹

First recorded in 1580–90; tangle ¹ + -ed ²

Example Sentences

If you want to understand the food of the American South, with its tangled history, peoples and places, Mr. Twitty’s book is a must-read.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Drivers tackling the madness of westside traffic leading to or from the tangled 405 Freeway will surely empathize with Buggy Bear who looks as if he’s one wrong turn away from having a traffic-induced meltdown.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We walked through tree branches, tangled vines and sharp hanging stalactites, over roots as thick as a human leg, and carcasses of birds, mice and God knows what else in varying states of decay.

Read more on Salon

The number of whales getting tangled up in fishing nets, line, buoys and other miscellaneous rope off the coasts of the United States hit a record high in 2024, with California taking the ignominious lead.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions such as Los Angeles, where local laws prohibit cops from participating in civil immigration enforcement, police officers have found themselves tangled up in federal operations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chaotic 
• knotted 
• muddled 
• trapped 
• twisted