dragnet
noun
drag·net
ˈdrag-ˌnet 
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
According to the report, if any humanitarian organizations were caught in the surveillance dragnet, that could make the use of Pegasus a violation of international law, which protects humanitarian workers in conflict settings.
—
Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 25 May 2023
The next morning, as Storen’s deputies fanned out to commence what would almost certainly be the largest election-crime dragnet in American history, Storen placed a phone call to City Hall.
—Sasha Issenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024
Over the three months since Storen’s dragnet, 88 had pleaded guilty, helping both to build the government’s case and to thin the unmanageable number of defendants to 28.
—Sasha Issenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024
Some analysts also worry that more lawfully present residents could become ensnared in a deportation dragnet already known for error.
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dragnet 
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.
Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 25 May 2023
The next morning, as Storen’s deputies fanned out to commence what would almost certainly be the largest election-crime dragnet in American history, Storen placed a phone call to City Hall.
—Sasha Issenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024
Over the three months since Storen’s dragnet, 88 had pleaded guilty, helping both to build the government’s case and to thin the unmanageable number of defendants to 28.
—Sasha Issenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024
Some analysts also worry that more lawfully present residents could become ensnared in a deportation dragnet already known for error.
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dragnet
Dictionary Entries Near dragnet
Cite this Entry
“Dragnet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dragnet. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dragnet
noun
drag·net
ˈdrag-ˌnet
1
: a net dragged along the bottom of a body of water
2
: a series of planned actions for catching a criminal
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share