ENTRAP Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'entrap' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of entrap are bag , capture , catch , ensnare , snare , and trap . While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," entrap and ensnare more often are figurative. // entrapped the witness with a trick question // a sting operation that ensnared burglars

Q: When might 'bag' be a better fit than 'entrap'?

The words bag and entrap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey. // bagged a brace of pheasants

Q: When could 'capture' be used to replace 'entrap'?

The meanings of capture and entrap largely overlap; however, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty. // capture an enemy stronghold

Q: When is 'catch' a more appropriate choice than 'entrap'?

In some situations, the words catch and entrap are roughly equivalent. However, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding. // caught the dog as it ran by

Q: How does the word 'trap' relate to other synonyms for 'entrap'?

Trap , snare , entrap , and 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

entrap

verb

in-ˈtrap

Definition of entrap

as in to trap

to catch or hold as if in a net a string of inconsistent statements and outright lies that finally entrapped the witness

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How does the verb entrap contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of entrap are bag, capture, catch, ensnare, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question

a sting operation that ensnared burglars

When might bag be a better fit than entrap?

The words bag and entrap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When could capture be used to replace entrap?

The meanings of capture and entrap largely overlap; however, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When is catch a more appropriate choice than entrap?

In some situations, the words catch and entrap are roughly equivalent. However, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How does the word trap relate to other synonyms for entrap?

Trap, snare, entrap, and 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

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 entrap The Grimm Brothers fairy tale follows a pair of famished siblings who get lost in the woods and entrapped by a child-eating witch, after stumbling upon her cottage made of candy. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 June 2026 There were 27 people inside the store at the time, including two who became partially entrapped but were able to free themselves and safely leave, according to local authorities. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 July 2026 Ultimately, neither British nor American intelligence could prove that the Russians intended to use Keeler to entrap Profumo. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026 Attorneys Abigail Becker and Victor Van Dyke, with the Federal Public Defender’s Office, convinced the jury Yener was entrapped by federal agents. — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for entrap

Recent Examples of Synonyms for entrap

Verb

Residents also joined the search, using shovels and their bare hands to remove rubble in an effort to reach children trapped beneath the debris.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
The child, identified by authorities as Klieber Moran, was rescued after spending six days trapped beneath the rubble, Rodríguez said.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of trap

Verb

In other words, the valuable part of any message, the signal, can easily get tangled up in noise.

— Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
During the first game, the Fever’s Caitlin Clark and the Mercury’s DeWanna Bonner got tangled up, said some unkind things, and five players wound up with technical fouls in the aftermath.

— Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of tangle

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entrants

entrap

entrapment

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“Entrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entrap. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of entrap

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