An entanglement is a complicated or difficult relationship or situation.
...romantic entanglements.
...a military and political entanglement the Government probably doesn't want.
2. variable noun
If things become entangled, you can refer to this as entanglement.
Many dolphins are accidentally killed through entanglement with fishing equipment. [+ with]
Synonyms: becoming entangled, mix-up, becoming enmeshed, becoming ensnared More Synonyms of entanglement
More Synonyms of entanglement
entanglement in British English
(ɪnˈtæŋɡəlmənt)
noun
1.
something that entangles or is itself entangled
2.
a sexual relationship regarded as unfortunate, damaging, or compromising
Examples of 'entanglement' in a sentence
entanglement
There must be the odd romantic entanglement?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
No matter what the issue, the entanglements of political cronyism were a frustration.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In Tudor times it was the romantic entanglements of princes that led to changes in the law.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He has no family, no romantic entanglements and no surname.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
When we begin to enjoy affirmation in the wrong way, that in turn can lead to emotional and physical entanglements.
Christianity Today (2000)
The trio embark on an operation that involves the Mafia, corrupt politicians and various romantic entanglements.
The Sun (2013)
Keeping up with the various characters, tribal complexities, romantic entanglements and back stories is near impossible.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
A romantic entanglement of sorts.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Though it's far darker than any of her previous dramas, humour and romantic entanglement feature once again.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
As he rose in society, his romantic entanglements damaged his career and he returned to his former sweetheart in Ireland.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But as we rounded a corner, there was the prison camp, a long tin building surrounded by a dense wire entanglement.
Amanda Mackenzie Stuart Consuelo & Alva: Love and Power in the Gilded Age (2005)
And there are, of course, still some companies so keen to maintain the dichotomy that they have policies prohibiting romantic entanglements between colleagues.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
entanglement
British English: entanglement NOUN
intrigue An entanglement is a complicated or difficult relationship or situation.
...romantic entanglements.
American English: entanglement
Brazilian Portuguese: enrosco
Chinese: 纠葛
European Spanish: enredo
French: imbroglio
German: Verwicklung
Italian: intrigo
Japanese: 複雑な関係
Korean: 복잡한 관계
European Portuguese: emaranhamento
Latin American Spanish: enredo
British English: entanglement NOUN
tangled items If things become entangled, you can refer to this as entanglement.
Many dolphins are accidentally killed through entanglement with fishing equipment.
American English: entanglement
Brazilian Portuguese: enrosco
Chinese: 纠缠不清
European Spanish: enredo
French: emmêlement
German: Verfangen
Italian: il rimanere impigliato
Japanese: 困難な状況
Korean: 얽혀듬
European Portuguese: emaranhamento
Latin American Spanish: enredo
1 (noun)
a romantic entanglement
Synonyms
affair
Two colleagues were carrying on an affair.
involvement
You have no proof of my involvement in anything.
romance
a holiday romance
intrigue
She detected her husband in an intrigue with a co-worker.
fling
We had a fling last summer.
liaison
She embarked on a liaison with a noted society figure.
love affair
That was the beginning of their whirlwind love affair
amour
This meaningful amour had gone horribly wrong.
illicit romance
2 (noun)
trying to do his job without the usual bureaucratic entanglements
Synonyms
difficulty
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
mess
I've got myself into a bit of a mess.
confusion
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.
complication
Her poetry was characterised by a complication of imagery and ideas.
mix-up
a mix-up over travel arrangements
muddle
My thoughts are all in a muddle.
predicament
The decision will leave her in a predicament.
imbroglio
What investor would willingly become involved in this imbroglio?
3 (noun)
Many dolphins are accidentally killed through entanglement in fishing equipment.
Synonyms
becoming entangled
mix-up
becoming enmeshed
becoming ensnared
becoming jumbled
entrapment
snarl-up (informal, mainly British)
What idiot has caused this snarl-up?
ensnarement
Additional synonyms
in the sense of amour
Definition
a secret love affair
This meaningful amour had gone horribly wrong.
Synonyms
love affair,
relationship,
affair,
romance,
intrigue,
liaison,
affaire de coeur
in the sense of complication
Her poetry was characterised by a complication of imagery and ideas.
Synonyms
complexity,
combination,
mixture,
web,
confusion,
intricacy,
entanglement
in the sense of confusion
Definition
disorder
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.