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entrap

verb
en·​trap | \ in-ˈtrap How to pronounce entrap (audio) , en-\
entrapped; entrapping; entraps

Definition of entrap

transitive verb

1 : to catch in or as if in a trap
2 : to lure into a compromising statement or act
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about entrap

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Synonyms & Antonyms for entrap

Synonyms

catch up, enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, ensnarl, entangle, entoil, mesh, net, snare, tangle, trap

Antonyms

disentangle, untangle

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Choose the Right Synonym for entrap

catch, capture, trap, snare, entrap, ensnare, bag mean to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing. catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding. caught the dog as it ran by capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty. capture an enemy stronghold 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 entrap and ensnare more often are figurative. entrapped the witness with a trick question a sting operation that ensnared burglars bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey. bagged a brace of pheasants

Examples of entrap in a Sentence

We used the net to entrap a school of fish. The air bubbles were entrapped in ice. She felt that she was entrapped in an unhappy marriage.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 But this takes time because meat is 70 percent water and water is a good heat absorber, especially when entrapped in muscle fibers and fat. — Jeff Csatari, Popular Mechanics, "The Ultimate Grilling Guide," 30 Aug. 2019 Ratcliffe has repeatedly claimed that Hillary Clinton, not Donald Trump, colluded with Russia and that a cabal of C.I.A. and F.B.I. officials, working with foreign intelligence services, carried out a global conspiracy to entrap Trump aides. — David Rohde, The New Yorker, "Trump’s Message to U.S. Intelligence Officials: Be Loyal or Leave," 29 July 2019 The man was thrown off the bike as the SUV slammed into a ditch that runs along Lockwood, causing the vehicle to spin around and entrap the driver. — Jay R. Jordan, Houston Chronicle, "Bicyclist hit by wrong-way driver in northeast Houston, witnesses say," 12 July 2019 The man and woman, who was freed by firefighters after being entrapped in the plane, were flown to Osceola Regional Medical Center. — David Harris, orlandosentinel.com, "Small plane crashes near St. Cloud; two people taken to hospital," 21 Aug. 2019 Several other cars were involved in the crash as the pickup careened across the main lanes, including an 18-wheeler whose driver was entrapped inside the cab. — Jay R. Jordan, Houston Chronicle, "Children, 3 and 8, remain critical after crash with 18-wheeler on Katy Freeway," 30 July 2019 Piro returned the money three weeks later and argued that he was entrapped. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Vinny Piro, colorful figure in Mass. politics, dead at 78," 23 July 2019 Surgery can also prevent a rare but serious condition called strangulation, in which a hernia can entrap the intestine and cut off blood flow, requiring emergency surgery. — NBC News, "Hospitals are offering free hernia screenings, but do patients need them?," 23 July 2019 In fact, the two liberalisms — one offering genuine human freedom, the other entrapping humans in impersonal and often ruthless market mechanisms — were always fundamentally in conflict. — Pankaj Mishra, Twin Cities, "Pankaj Mishra: Putin’s wrong, but so are liberals," 11 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entrap.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of entrap

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for entrap

Middle French entraper, from en- + trape trap

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More Definitions for entrap

entrap

verb
How to pronounce entrap (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of entrap

formal : to catch (someone or something) in a trap or in something like a trap

See the full definition for entrap in the English Language Learners Dictionary

entrap

verb
en·​trap | \ in-ˈtrap How to pronounce entrap (audio) \
entrapped; entrapping

Kids Definition of entrap

: to catch in or as if in a trap

entrap

transitive verb
en·​trap | \ in-ˈtrap How to pronounce entrap (audio) \
entrapped; entrapping

Legal Definition of entrap

: to cause (a person) to commit a crime by means of undue persuasion, encouragement, or fraud in order to later prosecute police entrap him into violating the literal terms of a criminal statute— W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.

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