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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Example Sentences

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

Supply chains in many industries are full of tangles, but for semiconductor tech, that’s putting it lightly. — IEEE Spectrum, 15 Aug. 2026 Plaques and tangles are two hallmark brain changes associated with the common dementia. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Our experts note that polyester fiberfill pillows generally respond well to dryer ball and hand-fluffing techniques when relatively new, but inexpensive polyester can become permanently matted as fibers tangle over time. — Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026 Amid an intense fight, Kiara manages to hit a button that puts Groff, tangled in ropes, hanging off the boat. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tangle

Noun

The company, which offers credit cards used to make rent and mortgage payments, had fumbled a critical transition, leading to confusion and financial stress for its customers.

— Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
Aggregators typically disclose this information in their search filters, and knowing it in advance avoids confusion on arrival.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of confusion

Verb

In the bottom of the ninth inning and a runner on second base for the Rockies with two outs, McCarthy had the opportunity to at least tie the game and force extra innings with a base knock to knot things up at two runs apiece.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
That's when Bouanga used assists from Jude Terry and Aaron Long to knot the score with his 11th goal of the season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of knot

Noun

This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.

— Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Tech has crept into every facet of everyday life, like an invisible fog of ones and zeros.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fog

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Style

“Tangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tangle. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tangle

noun

verb

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