untangle

[ uhn-tang-guhl ]

verb (used with object)

, un·tan·gled, un·tan·gling.

1. to bring out of a tangled state; disentangle; unsnarl.
2. to straighten out or clear up (anything confused or perplexing).

untangle

/ ʌnˈtæŋɡəl /

verb

1. to free from a tangled condition
2. to free from perplexity or confusion

Word History and Origins

Origin of untangle¹

First recorded in 1540–50; un- ² + tangle ¹

Example Sentences

Carter pressed the VA to untangle the apparent contradiction.

From Los Angeles Times

For years, the city has made unsuccessful attempts to untangle the byzantine bureaucracy that maintains the streetscape, in which a seemingly simple fix like repaving a corner can conjure up a web of departments, timelines, requirements, studies and objectives.

From Los Angeles Times

If Allred manages to untangle himself from a string of close but disappointing statewide losses for Democratic candidates since 2018, his victory could be decisive in keeping Democrats in control of the Senate.

From Salon

As complex as all this is, there are some things that are pretty easy to untangle.

From Slate

And yet the high court’s fatal rebuff of Williams on Tuesday suggests that a majority of justices will conclude that this world would be a better place if Glossip, too, is executed before we can untangle what went wrong in his deeply flawed prosecution.

From Slate

Related Words

• clear up
• disentangle
• extricate
• unravel
• unscramble