TANGLE Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

tangle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of tangle

as in confusion

a state of mental uncertainty my mind's been in a tangle ever since I learned some disturbing information about an online acquaintance

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tangle

2 of 2

verb

ˈtaŋ-gəl

as in to trap

to catch or hold as if in a net was at last tangled in the web of lies that he had told to everyone

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as in to knot

to twist together into a usually confused mass that darn cat tangled the yarn I was trying to knit with

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tangle

Noun

Sticky beta-amyloid can build into brain-clogging plaque over decades, eventually spurring neuron-killing tau tangles that lead to symptoms. — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Sazan is a rugged place—strewn with rocks and tangles of trees, populated by a large colony of rats, and studded with bunkers built by the Marxist dictator Enver Hoxha to defend against an imaginary invasion. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

Late in the fourth quarter, Wilson and Cunningham became tangled during a physical play. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 In 1984 the late mathematician Vaughan Jones introduced a new way to assign polynomials to knots, thereby tangling the two fields together. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tangle

Noun

The players’ win brought confusion over whether the injunction applied only to eligibility rules or extended to related rules, such as the transfer portal.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Combs’ rep offered a glimpse into the situation and the confusion seemingly surrounding it.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of confusion

Verb

There weren’t many in Saturday’s lockdown defensive effort, but Grade-A scoring opportunities still emerged, the most dangerous arriving midway through the final period, with the score knotted 1-1.

— Janson Duench, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
The match entered the break knotted at 1-1 before the two sides traded goals just six minutes into the second half.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of knot

Noun

And liquid nitrogen could transform custard into ice cream in the blink of an eye, engulfing the table in a theatrical fog.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
In some locations, the fog will become locally dense and reduce visibility to one-quarter mile or less at times.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of fog

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Style

“Tangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tangle. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tangle

noun

verb

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