Words / B2

in-TANGL/ɪnˈtæŋɡl/

To entangle is to catch or twist so that free movement is lost, or to involve someone in difficulties: entangled in; become entangled with. Tangle is the everyday noun/verb; embroil is the conflict twin. Entangled gear in the fieldwork log still needs the named hazard. Mix-up: entangle vs enlarge; quantum entanglement — use that only if the physics source names it; do not write entangle for two facts that are merely both true.

Meaning

To catch or twist so that free movement is lost; to involve someone in difficulties.

Examples

• “Entangled gear in the fieldwork log still needs the named hazard, not a metaphor caption.”
• “The firm became entangled in a dispute, which is the difficulty sense — still name the case.”

Good to know

entangled in / with; become entangled. Everyday: tangle. Conflict twin: embroil. Trap: enlarge / two unrelated facts / quantum sense unless named. Geography, biology, and citizenship. Caught in a twist or a mess — name the line, the net, or the case.

Near in meaning

tangle, snarl, embroil

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