intertangle

The hiker's boot became intertangled in the thick, thorny vines.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cause to become entangled or twisted together: "intertangle" means to make something become caught, twisted, or intricately mixed, often in a way that is difficult to separate.
   • To involve in difficulties or confusion: It also refers to making someone or something become caught up in complications, perplexities, or a state of confusion, both literally and figuratively.

Usage Examples

• Literal:

  • The strong wind intertangled the wires of the telephone poles. (The wind caused the wires to become twisted and caught together.)
  • She tried to untie the rope, but it was completely intertangled with the fishing net. (The rope and net were intricately mixed and hard to separate.)

• Figurative:

  • The legal dispute intertangled the two families in years of costly litigation. (The dispute involved them in complicated and confusing legal difficulties.)
  • His lies intertangled him in a web of deception from which he could not escape. (His dishonesty made him caught up in a confusing and problematic situation.)

Advanced Usage

• "to intertangle oneself in": to become personally involved in a complicated or messy situation.

  • By accepting the bribe, he intertangled himself in a corruption scandal. (He willingly became caught in a difficult and confusing affair.)

• "intertangled with": used to describe two or more things that are intricately mixed or intertwined.

  • The roots of the old oak tree were intertangled with the pipes beneath the ground. (The roots and pipes were twisted together in a complex way.)

Variants and Related Words

• Intertanglement (noun): the state or condition of being intertangled.

  • The intertanglement of the cables made repair work nearly impossible. (The twisted and caught state of the cables hindered repair.)

• Intertangling (adjective): causing or tending to cause entanglement.

  • The intertangling vines grew over the fence, creating a dense barrier. (The vines twisted together in a way that formed a barrier.)

Synonyms

• Entangle: to cause to become twisted or caught in a tangle.
• Ensnare: to catch or trap in a snare or difficult situation.
• Complicate: to make something more complex or confusing.
• Involve: to cause someone or something to become part of a complicated situation.

Phrasal Verbs

• Intertangle with: to become twisted or caught up with something or someone.

  • The fishing line intertangled with the branches of the underwater tree. (The line became caught and twisted around the branches.)

• Intertangle in: to cause someone or something to be caught up in a particular problem or mess.

  • The politician intertangled himself in a series of scandals. (He became involved in multiple confusing and damaging situations.)

Related Idioms

• To get into a tangle: to become involved in a confusing or messy situation.

  • He got into a tangle with the tax authorities over his deductions. (He became entangled in a complicated dispute.)

• To weave a tangled web: to create a complicated and deceitful situation.

  • She wove a tangled web of lies, and it eventually intertangled her in legal trouble. (Her lies created a complex deception that led to confusion and problems.)