enmesh

verb

en·​mesh in-ˈmesh 

en-

variants or less commonly immesh

i(m)-ˈmesh 

enmeshed also immeshed; enmeshing also immeshing; enmeshes also immeshes

transitive verb

: to catch or entangle in or as if in meshes

deeply enmeshed in the plot

enmeshment

i(m)-ˈmesh-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• catch up
• ensnare
• ensnarl
• entangle
• entoil
• entrap
• mesh
• net
• snare
• tangle
• trap

Examples of enmesh in a Sentence

soon after Eli Whitney had invented it, others copied his cotton gin, and he spent the rest of his life enmeshed in lawsuits trying to protect his invention

Recent Examples on the Web

While the latter is enmeshed in long-term, sometimes rocky peace talks with the Colombian government, the former has dissolved and was removed from the State Department’s Foreign Terrorist Organization list in 2021. —Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025

Could a man so enmeshed in his patient’s personal and political fortunes truly render an objective diagnosis? —Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Speaking to reporters, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra noted how enmeshed ACA coverage has become among other federal entitlement programs. —Joseph Choi, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025

Off Season is a venture that enmeshes Kristin’s knack for creativity and craftsmanship. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

enmesh

verb

en·​mesh in-ˈmesh 

: to entangle in or as if in meshes

was enmeshed in a series of disputes