dragnet

noun

drag·​net ˈdrag-ˌnet How to pronounce dragnet (audio)
1
a
: a net drawn along the bottom of a body of water
b
: a net used on the ground (as to capture small game)
2
: a network of measures for apprehension (as of criminals)

Examples of dragnet in a Sentence

Nine suspects were caught in the police dragnet.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But civil libertarians are unnerved about casting such a wide dragnet that captures highly personal information from hundreds or perhaps thousands of people who aren’t criminals. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026 The Treasury has also expanded the dragnet to include port terminal operators in Shandong Province and logistics services providers linked to Iranian oil shipments. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2026 To meet dragnet quotas, Trump’s ICE agents have routinely nabbed easy targets – widows, children, asylum seekers and even American citizens – costing taxpayers billions. — Lisa Falkenberg, Houston Chronicle, 12 May 2026 In collecting the communications of foreign nationals targeted by the intelligence community, Americans' information — including calls, texts and emails — can also be swept up in the dragnet. — Eric McDaniel, NPR, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dragnet

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of dragnet was in 1528

Rhymes for dragnet

See All Rhymes for dragnet

Browse Nearby Words

dragman
dragnet
dragnet clause
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Cite this Entry

“Dragnet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dragnet. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dragnet

noun
drag·​net ˈdrag-ˌnet How to pronounce dragnet (audio)
1
: a net dragged along the bottom of a body of water
2
: a series of planned actions for catching a criminal

More from Merriam-Webster on dragnet

Nglish: Translation of dragnet for Spanish Speakers

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