entangle

/in'tæɳgl/ Cách viết khác : (intertangle) /,intə'tæɳgl/

Thân thiện

The child entangled the cord around the chair leg.

Definition

1. 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.

Học thuật

Verb

1. twist together or entwine into a confusing mass
   • The child entangled the cord
2. entrap
   • Our people should not be mired in the past

Từ đồng nghĩa

• tangle
• mat
• snarl
• mire