Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for tangled on Thesaurus.com snarled, interlaced, or mixed up: tangled thread. very complicated, intricate, or involved: tangled bureaucratic procedures. Show More
Origin of tangled First recorded in
1580–90; tangle1 +
-ed2 verb (used with object), tan·gled, tan·gling. to bring together into a mass of confusedly interlaced or intertwisted threads, strands, or other like parts; snarl. to involve in something that hampers, obstructs, or overgrows: The bushes were tangled with vines. to catch and hold in or as if in a net or snare. Show More
verb (used without object), tan·gled, tan·gling. to be or become tangled. Informal to come into conflict; fight or argue: I don't want to tangle with him over the new ruling. Show More
a tangled condition or situation. a tangled or confused mass or assemblage of something. a confused jumble: a tangle of contradictory statements. Informal a conflict; disagreement: He got into a tangle with the governor. Show More
Origin of tangle 1 1300–50; Middle English tangilen, tagilen to entangle < Scandinavian; compare Swedish (dial.) taggla to disarrange
Related forms tan·gle·ment , noun tan·gler , noun tan·gly , adverb Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for tangled chaotic ,
knotted ,
muddled ,
twisted ,
trapped ,
intricate ,
involved ,
complicated ,
confused ,
disordered ,
difficult Examples from the Web for tangled Contemporary Examples of tangled The relationships, and motivations of their chief participants, are as tangled and shady as you expect of the super-rich.
He acquired $1 billion worth of art and tangled scandalously with the authorities.
The drain clogs in the shower every few days, and the clump of tangled brown hair is springy between my fingers.
Palmer is, of course, just as tangled up, as human, as everybody else--and he knows it.
What astonishment that such beauty urges me into bed for a nightlong sweaty roll in tangled sheets.
Historical Examples of tangled "Aaron Goldschmidt," he whispered, as we descended into a dry, tangled swamp.
The last I saw of the trenches was the tangled line on Fusilier Bluff.
If he hadn't been tangled up in his cod line, so we could haul him up by that, he'd have been down yet.
It is unnecessary to repeat the whole of the long and tangled conversation that ensued.
My life has been one long error, and the threads of my fate have been tangled .
British Dictionary definitions for tangled a confused or complicated mass of hairs, lines, fibres, etc, knotted or coiled together a complicated problem, condition, or situation Show More
to become or cause to become twisted together in a confused mass (intr often foll by with ) to come into conflict; contend to tangle with the police (tr) to involve in matters which hinder or confuse to tangle someone in a shady deal (tr) to ensnare or trap, as in a net Show More
Derived Forms tanglement , noun tangler , noun tangly , adjective Word Origin for tangle C14 tangilen, variant of tagilen, probably of Scandinavian origin; related to Swedish dialect taggla to entangle
alternative names (esp Scot) for oarweed Show More
Word Origin for tangle C16: of Scandinavian origin: compare Danish tang seaweed
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
Word Origin and History for tangled v. mid-14c., nasalized variant of tagilen "to involve in a difficult situation, entangle," from a Scandinavian source (cf. dialectal Swedish taggla "to disorder," Old Norse þongull "seaweed"). In reference to material things, from c.1500. Meaning "to fight with" is American English, first recorded 1928. Related: Tangled ; tangling . Tanglefoot (1859) was Western American English slang for "strong whiskey."
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n. 1610s, "a tangled condition," from tangle (v.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
