tangled

USAGE SUMMARY

"tangled" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe an object or situation that is in a complicated, confused, and/or disordered state. For example, you might say "The wires were tangled, making it difficult to untangle them and set up the device."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Like an old man with his bathrobe tangled in a bush".

The Guardian

The idea was to combat the difficulties that arise when proteins "misfold", forcing scientists to use time-consuming methods to untangle misfolded proteins or expensive methods to ensure the proteins don't get tangled up in the first place.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Several others followed, tangled up with seaweed and accompanied by the wooden remnants of a boat.

The Guardian

In challenging the label, CAT and the court became tangled in a debate – at times leaning on the philosophical – about the hopelessly broad tenets that lie at the centre of the law: over what constitutes "state policy" and "political activity", terms which have been applied in damaging trials against NGOs on a case-by-case basis.

The Guardian

But it is only a small part of a story tangled in a series of criminal charges – which were variously dismissed, acquitted, or ruled mistrial – of violence, prison time, escape and political asylum in Cuba.

The Guardian - Books

The two tangled again during the interview, when Bolt asked his guest to shed more light on why the prime minister had despatched the trade minister Andrew Robb to oversee the foreign minister Julie Bishop at climate negotiations in Lima.

The Guardian

Now with the franchise and the (one-time) franchise player tangled in a legal battle, the Bronx Zoo is most definitely back.

The Guardian - Sport

"In our paper, we describe a device for pulling apart tangled proteins and allowing them to refold".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Forest – like many wood-words – is complicatedly tangled up in political histories of access and landownership.

The Guardian - Books

Chicago's rules of racial politics have become tangled.

The Economist

In a striking reversal, politicians who had once favoured a stern approach to immigration suddenly found themselves asking for greater leniency, fearing that their local economies could be damaged by strict INS enforcement.Odder still, business leaders sought out alliances with advocates for Latino causes, with whom they had long tangled over such matters as working conditions for plant employees.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or situations, "tangled" effectively conveys complexity and difficulty in understanding. For example, "The legal battle became tangled in a web of bureaucracy."

Common error

Avoid using "tangled" when simpler words like "messy" or "disordered" would suffice. "Tangled" implies a degree of complexity that might not always be present.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tangled" is that of a past participle or adjective, describing something that is in a state of disarray or complexity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correct application in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tangled" functions primarily as a past participle or adjective, used to describe something complicated or disordered. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability in a broad range of contexts. It is very common, particularly in News & Media and Books, conveying the idea of intricate complexity. While appropriate for formal use, simpler synonyms may sometimes be preferable. As this analysis has shown, "tangled" effectively communicates complexity when used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entangled

Shares a very similar meaning, suggesting being caught up or involved.

intertwined

Highlights the close connection and weaving together of elements.

complicated

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding or dealing with something.

intricate

Focuses on the complexity and detailed nature of something.

enmeshed

Suggests being caught in a network or web.

convoluted

Highlights the winding and confusing nature of something.

snarled

Implies a knotty or jumbled state, often used for physical objects.

muddled

Suggests a lack of clarity and confusion.

embroiled

Focuses on being deeply involved in a conflict or difficult situation.

mixed up

A more informal way to describe a state of confusion or disorder.

FAQs

How can I use "tangled" in a sentence?

You can use "tangled" to describe something that is complicated or confused, such as "The plot of the movie was incredibly tangled" or "Her hair was tangled after the windstorm".

What's a good synonym for "tangled"?

Alternatives for "tangled" include "intricate", "complicated", or "convoluted" depending on the specific context.

Is "tangled" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "tangled" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and whether a more precise synonym might be preferable, such as "complex" or "involved".

What is the difference between "tangled" and "entangled"?

"Tangled" typically refers to something being disordered or knotted, while "entangled" often implies being caught up or involved in something, often in a restrictive or complicated way.