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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of tangle
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025
The three roadways twist and tangle around Lake Arlington, traversing four municipal boundaries.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2025
Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Mar. 2025
In one of his most celebrated roles, Hackman played a surveillance expert who becomes tangled in a sinister situation after a client hires him to spy on a couple.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tangle
Noun
Margaret Atwood has captured the imagination, creeping dread, and defiant spirits of generations across the world with her work—from the near-future dystopia of The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) and Booker Prize–winning The Testaments (2019), to the compelling tangle of women’s lives in Cat’s Eye (1988).
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025
The three roadways twist and tangle around Lake Arlington, traversing four municipal boundaries.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
A week after Hurricane Milton sent a storm surge over Englewood in October, the animal was tangled in a crab trap that had gotten dislodged not far from the boat launch where Ms. Killian kept the kayaks and paddleboards for her business, SUP Englewood.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Mar. 2025
In one of his most celebrated roles, Hackman played a surveillance expert who becomes tangled in a sinister situation after a client hires him to spy on a couple.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tangle
Noun
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Each stanza reflects the confusion, horror and uncertainty that of the battle to keep Fort McHenry — and thus the City of Baltimore — from falling into British hands.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
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Unlike his Western European counterparts, who waver between moral grandstanding and strategic confusion, Duda has taken the only approach that actually strengthens European security: full alignment with American leadership.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Replace pet bowls as needed: Scratches or cracks in bowls can trap bacteria and be impossible to clean, whether in the dishwasher or by hand.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2025
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The agency runs a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program to trap and often kill gators that threaten people or pets.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Russell’s second goal of the game knotted the score, senior Quinlan McNulty-Lu buried the golden goal in overtime, and the No. 7 Spy Ponders (17-5-2) pulled off a sensational 4-3 comeback win over No. 10 St. Mary’s of Lynn to advance to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2022.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
1 Mar. 2025
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Even after Gillespie banked in a jumper to give Maryland its second lead of the first half with 3:25 to go, sophomore small forward Coen Carr beat the defense and threw down a dunk eight seconds later to knot the score at 19.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Kevin Gordon, a senior investment strategist at Charles Schwab, said the back and forth with tariffs has created a fog of uncertainty for investors, businesses and consumers.—
John Towfighi,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
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Central Sacramento Valley, Southern Sacramento Valley, Carquinez Strait and Delta and Northern San Joaquin Valley are under a dense fog advisory which was issued by the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 4:55 a.m.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
The Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tangle. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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