entangle

/ɪnˈtæŋ.ɡəl/

twist together or involve

The fishing line began to entangle around the boat's propeller.

The thin cord became twisted and trapped around the spinning mechanism.

informal

To cause physical objects to become twisted together so that they are difficult to separate.

Strong ocean currents can entangle diving equipment in underwater weeds.

Powerful sea water movement can trap scuba gear in marine vegetation.

Frequently used in the passive voice ('get entangled' or 'be entangled').

formal

To involve someone or something in a complex, troublesome, or compromising situation.

He took great care not to entangle his business with personal disputes.

He was very careful to avoid mixing his commercial operations with personal conflicts.

Commonly paired with the prepositions 'in' or 'with'.

Collocations

become entangled inget caught or trapped in a situation or meshentangle somebody incause a person to be drawn into trouble or conflictdeeply entangledheavily involved or complicatedly twisted

English Dictionary