entangle
/in'tæɳgl/ Cách viết khác : (intertangle) /,intə'tæɳgl/
Definition
- Verb:
- To twist together or entwine into a confusing mass: To cause threads, strings, wires, or similar items to become twisted together in a messy, knotted, or complicated way.
- To involve someone or something in a complicated or compromising situation: To cause someone to become caught up in a difficult, confusing, or problematic circumstance from which it is hard to escape.
Examples of Usage
- Literal (Physical Entanglement):
- The fishing lines became entangled in the propeller.
- She carefully entangled the yarn to create a specific texture in her art project.
- Figurative (Situational Entanglement):
- The politician did not want to become entangled in the scandal.
- His lies only served to entangle him further in a web of deceit.
Advanced Usage
- "To become entangled with": To get involved in a complicated relationship or situation with someone or something.
- The two companies became entangled in a lengthy legal dispute.
- "Entangled state": A complex, intertwined condition, often used in formal or technical contexts.
- The history of the two nations is in an entangled state of conflict and cooperation.
Variants and Related Words
- Entanglement (noun): The state of being entangled; a complicated or compromising situation.
- The entanglement of vines made the path impassable.
- He sought to avoid any political entanglement.
- Disentangle (verb): The opposite action; to free from entanglement.
- It took hours to disentangle the knots.
Synonyms
- Ensnare: To catch in or as if in a trap.
- Enmesh: To involve in a situation that is difficult to escape from.
- Tangle: To twist together into a confused mass (often interchangeable in literal use).
- Involve: To include as a necessary part or result (a more general synonym for the figurative sense).
Related Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Entangle" itself is not commonly used with particles to form phrasal verbs. The action is typically expressed with prepositions like "in" or "with.") - Entangle in: To cause to be caught or involved in something (a situation, problem). - He was entangled in a series of bad investments. - Entangle with: To cause to become twisted or involved with something else. - The rope was entangled with the anchor chain.
Related Idioms
- A tangled web: A complex and deceptive situation. (Often used in the phrase "Oh, what a tangled web we weave...")
- His deceptions created a tangled web that eventually entangled him completely.
Verb
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twist together or entwine into a confusing mass
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The child entangled the cord
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entrap
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Our people should not be mired in the past
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