ensnare

verb

in-ˈsner How to pronounce ensnare (audio)
Definition of ensnarenext
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 Leading Democrats are at once outraged by the Trump administration’s actions against immigrants — which have ensnared some American citizens — and keenly aware of how thorny the issues of immigration and law enforcement can be for their party. —New York Times, 18 June 2025 And the billionaire sons of the company’s founder, who guided the expansion of JBS beyond Brazil—and went to jail seven years ago after its American acquisition spree got ensnared in a massive corruption scandal involving 1,800 politicians in in their homeland—became richer for it. —Chloe Sorvino, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 When any object gets close to a supermassive black hole, it's typically ensnared in a powerful gravitational pull. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 July 2025 Córdoba portrays himself as a peripheral figure ensnared by association. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ensnare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensnare
  1. trap
  2. tangle
  3. entrap
Verb
  • If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
  • Unfortunately, Scott gets trapped there himself during an expedition with no way to get out until ... 23.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Definition of trap
Verb
  • Outside, the service has to be constant and reliable, in the spirit of what RTD is hoping to provide with bus rapid transit on East Colfax, where buses will ride in a dedicated lane to keep from getting tangled up with other traffic.
    — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
  • The long grass is bright green, with shrubs overgrown and tangled.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2025
Definition of tangle
Verb
  • The second method for estimating water in the parent melt uses the melt entrapped in minerals of CE6 basalts.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 July 2025
  • In February 2021, a Martian meteorite with the planet’s atmosphere entrapped in it went under the hammer at Christie’s auction house.
    — Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
Definition of entrap

Browse Nearby Words

enslaving
ensnare
ensnared
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ensnare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensnare. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of ensnare for Spanish Speakers

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