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
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Recent Examples of ensnare
Such a move would likely face legal scrutiny and be ensnared in the courts for several years.
—
Andrea Ruth, The Washington Examiner, 6 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, 6 June 2025
Among those ensnared: 17 Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and correctional officers posing as sole business owners were charged in October with pocketing an average of $25,000 each in pandemic loans.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
First on the docket is a pile of cords knotted together, ensnaring an eyelash curler and a pen.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ensnare
Andrea Ruth, The Washington Examiner, 6 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, 6 June 2025
Among those ensnared: 17 Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and correctional officers posing as sole business owners were charged in October with pocketing an average of $25,000 each in pandemic loans.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
First on the docket is a pile of cords knotted together, ensnaring an eyelash curler and a pen.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ensnare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensnare
Verb
-
If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT
Updated July 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
-
Lavigne had come home to help her sister and got trapped by the storm.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
One more tip: tie up the drawcords before washing so they don't get snagged or tangled.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
-
Both work together to pick up debris and ensure that no hair gets tangled up in the vacuum.—
Terri Williams,
Architectural Digest,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
In February 2021, a Martian meteorite with the planet’s atmosphere entrapped in it went under the hammer at Christie’s auction house.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
2 July 2025
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And some white citizens tried to help the victims: In 1870, Otis Gibson, a missionary, established a home to which entrapped young women could flee.—
Steve Inskeep,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ensnare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensnare. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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