enmesh

E1N1M3E1S1H4
/ɛnˈmɛʃ/

verb

To mesh; to tangle or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated, particularly in a mesh- or net-like manner.

Similar
ensnareensnarlentanglefoulimplicateimplyinvolvemat
OriginEnglish mesh ← Middle English en- ← Old French en- →
Scrabble 11
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Meanings

verbenmesh (third-person singular simple present enmeshes, present participle enmeshing, simple past and past participle enmeshed)

present singular third person enmeshes · participle present enmeshing · participle past enmeshed · past enmeshed

  1. To mesh; to tangle or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated, particularly in a mesh- or net-like manner.

    Synonyms: ensnare, ensnarl, entangle, ensnare, ensnarl, entangle, foul, implicate

  2. To involve in such complications as to render extrication difficult.
  3. To involve in difficulties.

    They take their time sizing each other up since they both know their motives might not be entirely honest. Tentatively they find warmth and companionship in each other. However, before long, they get enmeshed in Hale’s diabolical schemes.

    2023 October 18, Murtada Elfadl, “Killers Of The Flower Moon review: Martin Scorsese's uniquely American tragedy”, in AV Club

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo mesh; to tangle or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated, particularly in a mesh- or net-like manner.

Similar
ensnareensnarlentangleensnareensnarlentanglefoulimplicateimplyinvolvematravelsnarltangle

More synonyms by meaning

verbentangle or catch in (or as if in) a mesh

Similar
meshensnarl
Broader
entangletanglemat
Also see
befoulensnareensnarlentanglefoulimplicateimplyinvolvemeshravelsnarltangleuntangle

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*h₁én
  2. Proto-Italic*en
  3. Proto-Italic*en-
  4. Latinin-
  5. Old Frenchen-
  6. Middle Englishen-
  7. Englishen-
  8. Englishmesh
  9. Englishenmesh

From en- + mesh.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian впримчвам, уплитам
  • впримчвам (vprimčvam)To mesh; to tangle or interweave
  • уплитам (uplitam)To involve in such complications
Chinese Cantonese 陷入（困境）
  • 陷入（困境） (ham⁶ jap⁶)To involve in difficulties
Dutch vangen, verweven
  • vangenTo mesh; to tangle or interweave
  • verwevenTo mesh; to tangle or interweave
  • betrokken zijnTo involve in difficulties
  • verwikkeld zijnTo involve in difficulties
  • verstrikkenTo involve in such complications
French piéger, captiver
  • piégerTo mesh; to tangle or interweave
  • captiverTo mesh; to tangle or interweave
  • entortillerTo involve in difficulties
  • inclureTo involve in difficulties
  • engloberTo involve in difficulties
  • emberlificoterTo involve in such complications
  • empêtrerTo involve in such complications
  • entortillerTo involve in such complications
Spanish enredar, enredar
  • enredarTo mesh; to tangle or interweave
  • enredarTo involve in difficulties
  • enmarañarTo involve in such complications
Cite this entry
APA

enmesh. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/enmesh

MLA

“enmesh.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/enmesh. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “enmesh,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/enmesh.

Source: enmesh on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.