tangle
13 synonyms and 1 antonym for tangle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To twist together into a knotted, confused mass.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To twist together into a knotted, confused mass.
“Her hair tangled badly in the wind.”
Opposites
How to use tangle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tangle with someone
a tangle of wires
get tangled up
Etymology
From Middle English tanglen, likely of North Germanic origin, related to Old Norse words for seaweed and disorder.
Full origin of tangle →Frequently asked questions
What does “tangle” mean?
The word “tangle” means to twist together into a knotted, confused mass. In plain terms, to twist into a knotted mess, or to get caught up in a dispute — also used as a noun for the resulting knot or mess.
How do you pronounce “tangle”?
“Tangle” is pronounced TANG-guhl (/ˈteɪ̯ŋɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “tangle” in a sentence?
Here is “tangle” used in a sentence: “Her hair tangled badly in the wind.”
What is another word for “tangle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tangle” include enmesh, ensnare, entangle, ensnarl, foul and implicate.
What is the opposite of “tangle”?
The opposite of “tangle” — its antonyms — is untangle.
What part of speech is “tangle”?
Depending on how it is used, “tangle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tangle” come from?
The word “tangle” comes from Middle English. From Middle English tanglen, likely of North Germanic origin, related to Old Norse words for seaweed and disorder.
How many meanings does “tangle” have?
“Tangle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to twist together into a knotted, confused mass.
