entangle
/ɪnˈtaŋɡ(ə)l
/ /ɛnˈtaŋɡ(ə)l/verb [with object]
1Cause to become twisted together with or caught in: fish attempt to swim through the mesh and become entangled...
- The staff was meticulously made, a devoutly curved and twisted wrap of gold entangling the base silver of it, with a single blood-red gem shaped like an orb tipping it.
- He grabbed her hand and entangled their fingers together instead.
- Inspired by South American cowboys, some forces deploy bolas, several yards of rope weighted with rubber balls, to entangle a suspect's legs.
Synonyms
intertwine, entwine, tangle, intertwist, twist, ravel, snarl, knot, coil, mat, jumble, muddle
catch, capture, trap, snare, ensnare, entrap, enmesh, ensnarl
1.1Involve (someone) in difficulties or complicated circumstances from which it is difficult to escape: they were suspicious of becoming entangled in a civil war...
- As suits a major drama, Bruce is entangled in a complex web that makes him feel more a victim than someone in control.
- All she needed was the reassurance that the girl was not entangled in a messy relationship.
- We are hopelessly entangled in dust, work and the British monetary system.
Synonyms
involve, implicate, embroil, mix up, catch up, bog down, mire
