1
as in ambush
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
undercover agents devised a trap to catch the counterfeiters a bear trap
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2
as in ambushment
a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait
an overland route to the Far East that was once notorious for the many robbers who laid traps for unsuspecting wayfarers
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3
as in tangle
something that catches and holds
the promotion is really just a trap to keep her from taking a new job elsewhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to tangle
to catch or hold as if in a net
an ambitious young man who was now trapped in a series of shady business deals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
finally trapped the annoying fly in the palm of his hand
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trap
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Of the 63 dead roaches, 40 were under a soda machine, six were on a glue trap on a counter next to single service to-go items (usually plates, plastic utensils) and another half-dozen under the microwave oven.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Finally, last month a cruise ship got trapped in ice in Antarctica, and a US Coast Guard ice-breaker had to come to free it from its frosty prison.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trap
Noun
Once aluminum foil has been exposed to heat or raw proteins, tiny tears, cracks, and creases can develop that trap bacteria.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Of the 63 dead roaches, 40 were under a soda machine, six were on a glue trap on a counter next to single service to-go items (usually plates, plastic utensils) and another half-dozen under the microwave oven.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Place mats at entrances to trap dirt and debris, and apply a linoleum floor polish every few months to maintain its shine and protect against wear.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Finally, last month a cruise ship got trapped in ice in Antarctica, and a US Coast Guard ice-breaker had to come to free it from its frosty prison.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trap
Noun
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Alas, escaping through the forest in the snow, Elisabeta is killed in an ambush.—
Jocelyn Noveck,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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Their planned ambush is turned on them, and ultimately Roper puts a bullet in Teddy’s head for his defection.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Leaving sheets in the dryer for an extended period gives them more opportunity to wrinkle or tangle.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
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The debate took place against the backdrop of a tangle of state policies.—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Manscaped’s ‘Hair Ballad’ Several ads trafficked in revulsion as an attention-getter, none more so than this one for a body shaver featuring various clumps of removed body hair singing with their little hairy mouths.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Then, while breathing through your mouth, allow the solution to flow in and drain out the opposite nostril before repeating on the other side.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The vehicle caught on fire, entrapping the boy, who was pronounced dead at the scene.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Traffickers rely on guns for intimidation, control and protection of their criminal proceeds along with drugs to entrap and manipulate victims, launder money and commit various tax crimes, Raybould said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Similarly, Bad Bunny also stopped at a piraguas cart recreation and briefly grabbed a frozen dessert.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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His piece of genius separated the sides entering the 84th minute but during a chaotic finale, the hosts conspired to grab defeat from the jaws of victory.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One photographer visited Uganda and captured the striking image of a mountain of snares, used to trap wildlife and confiscated by the nation’s rangers.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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The team used non-invasive survey tools, including 285 hair snares and 135 remote cameras, to collect the information from a 150-square-mile area, the institute said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.—
Drew Harwell,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Employees in bright teal polos walked the floor with smiles on their faces, ready to answer any of our questions or direct us through the labyrinth of a store.—
Katherine Polcari,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
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Round touch screens in various rooms took us through a labyrinth of tiny-text options just to set the temperature to 68 degrees.—
Jason Fried,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trap. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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