untangle

[uhn-tang-guhl]

verb (used with object)

untangled, untangling 

1. to bring out of a tangled state; disentangle; unsnarl.

2. to straighten out or clear up (anything confused or perplexing).

untangle

/ ʌnˈtæŋɡəl /

verb

1. to free from a tangled condition

2. to free from perplexity or confusion

Word History and Origins

Origin of untangle¹

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

Example Sentences

Some scientists have commented that it is difficult to untangle the effects of UPFs in people's diets from other factors in people's lives, such as lifestyle, behaviour and wealth.

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Soon Alexander’s teeth were sunk into Beowulf’s pant leg, and the two were having a devil of a time getting untangled.

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As Canada looks to untangle itself economically from the US, the country's landlocked oil patch is eyeing new customers in Asia through a pipeline to the Pacific.

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Dowling, author of a previous biography of Shepard’s idol Eugene O’Neill, expertly untangles the history of a man who contained multitudes — “country boy, playwright, lover, rocker, husband, father.”

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It also hit her that she would have to untangle their finances.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• clear up 
• disentangle 
• extricate 
• unravel 
• unscramble