What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disentangling
Example
She spent hours disentangling her hair after swimming in the ocean. [disentangling: gerund]
Example
The detective worked hard at disentangling the clues to solve the mystery. [disentangling: present participle]
unraveling
Example
The sweater started unraveling after she accidentally caught it on a nail. [unraveling: present participle]
Example
The journalist's investigation led to the unraveling of a corrupt political scheme. [unraveling: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unraveling is more commonly used than disentangling in everyday language. Unraveling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while disentangling is less common and refers to a specific type of separation or resolution.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disentangling and unraveling?
Both disentangling and unraveling are formal words that are often used in academic or professional contexts. However, disentangling may have a slightly more technical connotation due to its association with physical objects like cords or wires.
