tangle
verb (used with object)
to bring together into a mass of confusedly interlaced or intertwisted threads, strands, or other like parts; snarl.
was tangling
-
past progressiveof tangle.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The moves also signaled to the U.S. that it was tangling not just with Denmark—a country of roughly six million people—but allies from across NATO’s 32 members.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026
When he was tangling with James on the mat, Henley never considered how much of an influence the training would have on the field.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2024
He was tangling with a Black woman on the issue of race, an issue on which he had some very real vulnerabilities, but he ably dodged and shot back.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 19, 2022
The preamble was this: In Wednesday’s second-round game, Buddy Boeheim was tangling with Florida State’s Wyatt Wilks under the basket when the Orange made a three-pointer.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 10, 2022
It was Jud Carpenter standing over her and pointing to where a frowzled broken thread was tangling itself around a separator.
From The Bishop of Cottontown A Story of the Southern Cotton Mills by John Trotwood Moore
