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tangle

tan·gle

tangle

 
 
pronunciation:
taeng gl
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun)
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: tangles, tangling, tangled
definition 1: to mix, knot, or entwine, making separation or straightening difficult (often fol. by "up").
He somehow tangled all the computer cords.The cat tangled up the yarn.
synonyms:
entangle, knot, mat, mix up, ravel, snarl
antonyms:
disentangle, untangle
similar words:
dishevel, foul, jumble, mesh, mess up, rumple, scramble, tousle
definition 2: to involve in a complicated, confused, awkward, or unmanageable situation or undertaking; entangle.
I don't want to tangle myself in these matters that have nothing to do with me.
synonyms:
embroil, ensnarl, entangle
antonyms:
disentangle
similar words:
complicate, jumble, ravel, snarl
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to become knotted or entwined in a disorderly mass.
I tied my hair back for the boat trip so it wouldn't tangle in the wind.
synonyms:
knot, mat, snarl, twist
antonyms:
disentangle
similar words:
jumble, rumple
definition 2: (informal) to quarrel or fight; engage in conflict.
The two guys were tangling over a woman in the bar.He's big and scary, and I wouldn't want to tangle with him.
synonyms:
brawl, broil, mix it up, scuffle, wrangle
similar words:
argue, fight, mesh, quarrel, rumble, tussle
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a jumbled, intertwined mass.
The child's hair was a tangle of curls.
synonyms:
mat, snarl, tousle
similar words:
jumble, mesh, mess, mishmash, muss, tumble, twine
definition 2: a jumbled, confusing, or complicated condition or situation.
She left her affairs in a tangle when she died suddenly.
synonyms:
hodgepodge, jam, jumble, mishmash, mix-up, snarl
similar words:
complication, entanglement, imbroglio, jungle, knot, mesh, mess, muddle, muss, perplexity, tumble, web
definition 3: (informal) a quarrel or fight.
We got into a tangle about money again last night.
synonyms:
brawl, broil, donnybrook, fray, free-for-all, imbroglio, scuffle, wrangle
similar words:
affray, clash, fight, fracas, quarrel, riot, row, ruckus, run-in, set-to, tumult
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: tangly (adj.), tangler (n.)