Advertisement

View synonyms for

tangle

1

[ tang-guhl ]

verb (used with object)

tangled, tangling.
  1. to bring together into a mass of confusedly interlaced or intertwisted threads, strands, or other like parts; snarl.
  2. to involve in something that hampers, obstructs, or overgrows:

    The bushes were tangled with vines.

  3. to catch and hold in or as if in a net or snare.


verb (used without object)

tangled, tangling.
  1. to be or become tangled.
  2. Informal. to come into conflict; fight or argue:

    I don't want to tangle with him over the new ruling.

noun

  1. a tangled condition or situation.
  2. a tangled or confused mass or assemblage of something.
  3. a confused jumble:

    a tangle of contradictory statements.

    Synonyms: , , , , , ,

  4. Informal. a conflict; disagreement:

    He got into a tangle with the governor.

tangle

2

[ tang-guhl ]

noun

  1. any of several large seaweeds of the genus Laminaria.

tangle

1

/ ˈæŋɡə /

noun

  1. a confused or complicated mass of hairs, lines, fibres, etc, knotted or coiled together
  2. a complicated problem, condition, or situation
“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

verb

  1. to become or cause to become twisted together in a confused mass
  2. introften foll bywith to come into conflict; contend

    to tangle with the police

  3. tr to involve in matters which hinder or confuse

    to tangle someone in a shady deal

  4. tr to ensnare or trap, as in a net
“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

tangle

2

/ ˈæŋɡə /

noun

  1. alternative names (esp Scot) for oarweed
“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
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈٲԲ, noun
  • ˈٲԲ𳾱Գ, noun
  • ˈٲԲ, adjective
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ٲg·Գ noun
  • ٲg noun
  • ٲg adverb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of tangle1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tangilen, tagilen “to entangle,” probably from a Scandinavian language; compare Swedish (dialect) taggla “to disarrange”

Origin of tangle2

First recorded in 1530–40; from a Scandinavian language; compare Old Norse ٳǫԲܱ “strand of tangle,” Norwegian tang
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of tangle1

C14 tangilen, variant of tagilen, probably of Scandinavian origin; related to Swedish dialect taggla to entangle

Origin of tangle2

C16: of Scandinavian origin: compare Danish tang seaweed
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

His latest court fight against Hill stalled on Wednesday, and he remains tangled in a legal battle in Arizona as well.

From

He was sitting in his living room watching the wind make a tangle of his backyard when he saw “a little fire start” in the distance.

From

When a mentally disturbed neighbor sets herself on fire and a slumlord tries to extort money from them, the family gets tangled in the corruption that keeps a stranglehold on the slum’s inhabitants.

From

Shouldn’t she at least strive to be an equal in this tangled friendship triangle?

From

Ordaz also showed a bit of moxie midway through the first half Wednesday when he tangled with veteran Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón, who baited his young opponent all game.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


tangkatangleberry