tangling

Verb

tangle (third-person singular simple present tangles, present participle tangling, simple past and past participle tangled)

1. (transitive) To mix together or intertwine.

   Synonyms:

   entangle, knot, mat, snarl

2. (intransitive) To become mixed together or intertwined.
   • Her hair was tangled from a day in the wind.

   Synonyms:

   dishevel, tousle

   Antonyms:

   untangle, unsnarl

3. (figuratively, intransitive) To enter into an argument, conflict, dispute, or fight.
   • Don't tangle with someone three times your size.

   Synonyms:

   argue, conflict, dispute, fight

4. (transitive) To catch and hold.
   • tangled in amorous nets1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 2

   Synonyms:

   ensnare, entrap

See all 14 meanings of tangle