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tentacle

tentacle

14 6.3
A group that reaches into many areas to control or influence people's lives
  • noun
  • /ˈtɛntəkl/
  • Literature
translation icon : tentáculo
  • Its tentacles reached into every area of our lives.
  • tentacles spreading

It's trying to extend its tentacles all around the Middle East.

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Examples

  • The company's tentacles reach into every aspect of modern technology, influencing everything we do.

  • The charity is expanding its tentacles, aiming to support communities in need across the country.

  • It's trying to extend its tentacles all around the Middle East.

  • That was super shocking, just really learning about how far these tentacles spread.

  • The economy will do better once the tentacles of Obamacare are removed from the books.

    Blog text (14)
  • The region bristles with drug traffickers and cartels, whose tentacles are spreading ever more widely from their home bases.

    Academic text (1997)
  • With its tentacles in politics, business, and education, the organization has a considerable influence on society.

Synonyms

appendage
vstentacle
26 6.2

A part attached to something larger, like a limb on an animal or a small group added to an organization

extends reach to influence or control rather than being only a body part

Antonyms

1.0

The right to act, speak, or think as you want without being stopped

Surface Forms

tentacle singular
tentacles plural

Etymology

Tentacle comes from Latin tentaculum from tentare meaning 'to reach', a good image like the 'reaching' arms of an octopus and the idea behind extend. That's why we also call something a tentacle when it reaches far to pull or control parts of life or business.