ensnare

as in to trap
to catch or hold as if in a net parked just out of view, the state trooper was lying in wait to ensnare unwary speeders

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ensnare contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ensnare are bag, capture, catch, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," trap, snare, entrap, ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals
snared butterflies with a net

When can bag be used instead of ensnare?

While in some cases nearly identical to ensnare, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is it sensible to use capture instead of ensnare?

In some situations, the words capture and ensnare are roughly equivalent. However, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When could catch be used to replace ensnare?

Although the words catch and ensnare have much in common, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How are the words entrap and ensnare related?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question
a sting operation that ensnared burglars

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ensnare Leake ensnared him, the victim’s father and two of their acquaintances. Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025 Indeed, a recent IRS Chief Counsel memorandum shows that these traps can also ensnare the IRS. Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 Some past efforts by states to purge noncitizens from voting rolls, however, have ensnared eligible U.S. citizens due to data inaccuracies. Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 12 Mar. 2025 The tariff chaos ensnared Americans across the country, from online shoppers like me to a Broadway show waiting on a shipment of yellow LED lights from China for its marquee sign, Trump’s tariff changes are leaving many people frustrated, with little information on when their orders will arrive. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ensnare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensnare
Verb
  • In Alamo, the police and fire department responded to more than 100 water rescues, including people stranded in their vehicles and trapped in their homes, Fire Department Chief R.C. Flores said at a news conference Friday afternoon.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In a Facebook post, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine in Thailand said around 320 workers were on the site at the time of the collapse and 20 are trapped in the lift shafts.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But when he gets tangled up in a high-stakes money laundering scandal, his family’s entire legacy is at risk.
    Martine Paris, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Some 30 feet ahead, a dark silhouette materialized between the vines and tangled undergrowth.
    Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Gabi and Robinson head to the diner to entrap Maggie with yet another plate of cheese fries.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
  • In the initial announcement about the plan to vacate the convictions of felons entrapped by crack-selling stings in Broward County, the convicts were told not to contact the State Attorney's Office or the Broward Sheriff's Office.
    Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ensnare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensnare. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

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