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enmeshment

enmeshment

8.1
A situation where a person is involved in a difficult problem they cannot easily leave
  • noun
  • /ɪnˈmɛʃmənt/
translation icon : implicación
  • And you had this incredible enmeshment between producers and and consumers.

Today we're going to be breaking down enmeshment, grief and moms with Jeanette McCurdy.

Examples

  • Primary among these is the repeated figure of enmeshment or entrapment.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Today we're going to be breaking down enmeshment, grief and moms with Jeanette McCurdy.

  • That that enmeshment there is, is a tough one.

  • And then where do you start leaching into enmeshment and things like that?

  • It's built on gnosis, which is the Greek word for the consumption and the entire enmeshment with that knowledge.

  • And that's the codependent enmeshment in a Co committed relationship.

  • Her feeling of entitlement is a result of Pilate and Reba's enmeshment, their eagerness to give her everything.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The therapist explained that her client's struggles stemmed from an unhealthy enmeshment with her parents.

  • The enmeshment within the family created confusion about personal boundaries and individual identities.

  • Many individuals find it difficult to break free from the emotional enmeshment with partners who are overly controlling.

Synonyms

entanglement
vsenmeshment
11 6.6

A difficult situation that traps someone, often with lies

is deeper involvement often creating serious or morally compromising ties
morass
vsenmeshment
10 9.3

A confusing situation full of problems that is hard to get out of

emphasizes personal involvement and tangled relations rather than general muddle
ensnarement
vsenmeshment
1 8.3

A situation in which someone is trapped by a trick or tool

is about prolonged, complicated involvement rather than a single act of trapping
engulfment
vsenmeshment
1 8.2

A state of being completely overwhelmed by strong feelings or stress

involves complex entanglement and compromising ties rather than only being overwhelmed
engrossment
vsenmeshment
1 7.0

Full attention to something that makes you forget other things

is about being stuck in a difficult, entangling situation rather than focused interest
embroilment
vsenmeshment
  • Formal
8.9

A difficult, confusing situation that involves conflict, often between people or in politics

focuses more on deep involvement and entanglement rather than active conflict
entwinement
vsenmeshment
7.4

A close, often complicated connection between people, groups, or ideas

stresses being caught up in difficulty rather than just having close ties

Antonyms

489 1.1

Not having to do something a rule requires

The act of stopping a connection or ending involvement with something

How Entangled

entrapment
1 6.4
enmeshment
8.1
entanglement
3 6.3
involvement
418 2.9

Surface Forms

enmeshment singular
enmeshments plural

Morphology

enmeshment = enmesh (transparent) = en + mesh + ment

Clearly formed by adding '-ment' to 'enmesh' and the meaning 'state of being entangled/involved' directly follows from the base.

Etymology

Enmeshment is built from en- 'in' and mesh 'net', so it gives the image of being 'in a net'. A helpful way to remember the sense of getting deeply involved is to imagine being tightly caught up in a situation that is hard to escape, which explains the modern meaning.