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

Power and the Palace, published next week and written by the former royal correspondent for The Times, explores the tangled relationship between the royals and the world of politics.

From BBC

Together, the pair now face a tangled web of legal battles, including ownership disputes, eviction proceedings, and allegations of business mismanagement.

From Salon

Dead fish began washing ashore in clumps, all tangled in thick mats of toxic algae.

From Salon

That order was quickly tangled up in a series of judicial orders and stays.

From Salon

His buzzy breakout, 2022’s “Barbarian,” tangled several narratives in one basement, jolting audiences with a bold tone shift and a conclusion that darted away before we could ask questions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chaotic 
• knotted 
• muddled 
• trapped 
• twisted