UNTANGLE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

untangle

verb

ˌən-ˈtaŋ-gəl

Definition of untangle

as in to unravel

to separate the various strands of gently untangled the baby's hair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disentangle

to set free from entanglement or difficulty I was finally able to untangle myself from my credit problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The goal is to untangle this regulatory puzzle, which currently creates significant variability for AI developers. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Watch fishermen untangle nets and potter about their wooden caiques as you dine. — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026 Mike walked up and down the boat, untangling lines, re-tying lures, and helping anyone who needed it. — Matthew Every, Outdoor Life, 8 July 2026 Below are the ones that untangled our knots and delivered the most seamless combing and brushing experience. — Eden Stuart, Glamour, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for untangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for untangle

Verb

There will be a lot to unravel on Raw, but there's still stones left to unturn.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Yet for many, July served as a lesson that the same forces capable of delivering outsized gains can also unravel swiftly.

— Youkyung Lee, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of unravel

Verb

Lydia Kiesling’s Mobility attempts something at once more traditional and more ambitious, exploring how a young woman tries to disentangle herself from the oil industry’s poisonous tendrils.

— Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
The unique shape of these events meant that signals from wakes could be more easily disentangled from surrounding noise.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of disentangle

Verb

Mercado Libre achieved 99% fraud detection, while DoorDash saved millions with a voice portal.

— Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Eleven were saved by the captain and crew of the first boat to reach the scene – a hot tub boat, a small vessel outfitted with two full-size hot tubs for harbor tours, according to Adam Schwartz, owner of the tour company Sea the City.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of save

Verb

By liberating real-time data flows, financial institutions can gain a single, accurate source of truth.

— Jody Bhagat, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
But at the same time, there was something in really wanting to challenge myself and just surrendering to having the experience of being that person, that felt artistically really satisfying and kind of liberating.

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of liberate

Verb

One of the industry’s few redeeming qualities is its theoretical job creation.

— Adrianne Fantasia, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2026
If an airline member redeemed miles for an electronics retailer’s gift card and used it weeks later, the member might remember the retailer but forget that the airline supplied the value.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of redeem

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untamed

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“Untangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untangle. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of untangle

verb

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