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Entangle vs Unravel - What's the difference?

entangle | unravel |

As verbs the difference between entangle and unravel

is that entangle is to tangle; to twist or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated; to make confused and intricate; as, to entangle yarn or the hair while unravel is to separate the threads (of); disentangle.

entangle

English

Alternative forms

*

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To tangle; to twist or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated; to make confused and intricate; as, to entangle yarn or the hair.
  • To involve in such complications as to render extrication difficult; hence, metaphorically, to ensnare; to perplex; to bewilder; to puzzle; as, to entangle the feet in a net, or in briers.
  • To involve in difficulties or embarrassments; to embarrass, puzzle, or distract by adverse or perplexing circumstances, interests, demands, etc.; to hamper; to bewilder.
  • Antonyms

    * disentangle

    References

    * *

    unravel

    English

    Verb

  • to separate the threads (of); disentangle
  • Stop playing with the seam of the tablecloth! You will unravel it.
    Mother couldn't unravel the ball of wool after the cat had played with it.
  • to become undone; to collapse
  • * 2010 , Ian Cowie, "State pension Ponzi scheme unravels with retirement at 70", The Telegraph , June 24th, 2010,
  • *:The great Ponzi scheme that lies behind our State pension is unravelling – as they all do eventually – because money being taken from new investors is insufficient to honour promises issued to earlier generations.
  • New Ponzi Scheme Unravels !
  • (figurative) To clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve.
  • to unravel a plot
    to unravel a mystery
    to unravel the confusion
  • (figurative) To separate the connected or united parts of; to throw into disorder; to confuse.
  • * Dryden
  • Art shall be conjured for it, and nature all unravelled .
    ''to unravel the global compromise achieved in the Constitutional Treaty
    ''to unravel the broad consensus which was created

    Usage notes

    unraveling and unraveled are primarily US while unravelling and unravelled are primarily UK.

    Synonyms

    * unriddle * solve * unsnarl * disentangle

    Derived terms

    * unravelling