Synonym Chooser

How does the verb untangle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of untangle are disembarrass, disencumber, disentangle, and extricate. While all these words mean "to free from what binds or holds back," disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things.

disentangling fact from fiction
untangle a web of deceit

When might disembarrass be a better fit than untangle?

The meanings of disembarrass and untangle largely overlap; however, disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

When can disencumber be used instead of untangle?

The synonyms disencumber and untangle are sometimes interchangeable, but disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

When is it sensible to use extricate instead of untangle?

The words extricate and untangle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of untangle In Towards Zero, Rhys plays a troubled detective who tries to untangle a toxic web of jealousy, deceit and dysfunction. Brianne Tracy, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025 And there is no indication that said rights issues will ever be untangled. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 17 Apr. 2025 Gobert had untangled himself from Podziemski, who fell to the floor. Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 11 May 2025 This got nods of agreement from the rest of us, all of whom have experienced the frustration of untangling tech mid-flight. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for untangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untangle
Verb
  • But things quickly take a dark turn with the planet seeming to unravel.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
  • Opponents of the governor’s veto believe the expenditure of that energy is necessary and point to efforts in Washington to unravel DEI as a reason Maryland should commit itself to study reparations.
    Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • But Hogg, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivor who aims to reform the Democratic Party, claimed Monday that the committee vote can't be disentangled from his dispute with the party.
    Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 13 May 2025
  • Brexit’s drag on the British economy is no longer much debated, though its effects have been at times hard to disentangle from subsequent shocks delivered by the coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine and, now, Mr. Trump’s tariffs.
    Mark Landler, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Wirtz’s potency in the final third would attract attention and could free up Pep Guardiola’s talented front line.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The men were freed after prosecutors agreed to vacate their convictions in 2014.
    Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • America’s millionaires are now mostly on the coasts, in states with expensive real estate and high income jobs that generate more possibilities to save and invest.
    Mark Dent, HubSpot, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Fire personnel cut through the wire to extricate the three people from the pipe by 9 a.m.
    Christian Martinez, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
  • What a moment for Julian Reese, swishing two free throws to extricate his team from the tightest spot imaginable.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Season 2 offers a chilling, darkly hilarious and oddly liberating spin on a bad day at the office.
    Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
  • Even drinking a large glass of water can remind you to turn off the work-thoughts and liberate yourself to focus on everything else.
    Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Benning redeemed himself minutes later, threading a blue-line blast through traffic on a late-period power play to tie the game at 2-2, reawakening the Charlotte crowd and shifting momentum back to the home team.
    Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
  • Chargers Jim Harbaugh taking a new approach to evaluating Chargers’ rookie talent May 10, 2025 Week 17, HOUSTON, TBD: Herbert can redeem himself against the defense that grabbed four interceptions in the Chargers’ 2024 playoff flop.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The next morning, Michaela’s husband, Peter (none other than Kevin Bacon), returns, full of compliments but obviously disengaged.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
  • Keep in mind that unclear rules can also lead older loyalty members to disengage.
    Len Covello, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Untangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untangle. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on untangle

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