Synonyms

untangle

American

[uhn-tang-guhl] / ʌnˈtæŋ gəl /

verb (used with object)

untangled, untangling

to bring out of a tangled state; disentangle; unsnarl.
to straighten out or clear up (anything confused or perplexing).

untangle British

/ ʌnˈtæŋɡəl /

verb

to free from a tangled condition
to free from perplexity or confusion

"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

Etymology

Origin of untangle

First recorded in 1540–50; un- ² + tangle ¹

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.

These and other snafus can happen, and they often take time and trouble to untangle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

There will be a lot for investors to untangle on Thursday afternoon, when FedEx announces External link its fiscal third-quarter numbers.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Ongoing research is working to untangle how proteins, inflammation, neural signaling, and malfunctioning brain cells contribute to these disorders.

From Science Daily • Dec. 25, 2025

Following the Journal’s recent story about a widow’s struggle to untangle her finances after the death of her husband, we asked readers to share their strategies for avoiding such a scenario.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025

It was confusing and frightening, not in a way I could untangle.

From "Grendel" by John Gardner

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023