entanglement

noun

en·​tan·​gle·​ment in-ˈtaŋ-gəl-mənt How to pronounce entanglement (audio)
en-
1
a
: the action of entangling : the state of being entangled
b
: something that entangles, confuses, or ensnares
a project delayed by legal entanglements
2
: the condition of being deeply involved
their entanglement in politics

Examples of entanglement in a Sentence

his life is greatly complicated by his romantic entanglements
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Even small housing projects are subject to lengthy entanglements in red tape as costs escalate. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025 Stiff and self-healing hydrogels by polymer entanglements in co-planar nanoconfinement PubMed. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025 The Grammy winner announced that all proceeds connected to the tune will be donated to UNRWA USA, or the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which aims to help refugees in Palestine affected by the current entanglement with Israel. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the New England Aquarium and others say the two biggest threats to the whales are vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for entanglement

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of entanglement was in 1535

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entanglement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entanglement. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

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