ENSNARE Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ensnare

verb

in-ˈsner

Definition of ensnare next

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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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

Examples 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 The outage seems to have also ensnared Zelle, the digital payment network that Bank of America owns with other banks. —

Michael Kan, PCMAG, 2 Oct. 2024 Kasper’s official clients were groups led by former Commonwealth Edison executives — one being John Hooker, a powerful ComEd lobbyist who also became ensnared in the Madigan corruption probe and who was convicted last year as part of the ComEd Four case. —

Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2024 This leads the bomber to ensnare Reeves’ character in another scheme that involves a bomb placed on a city bus that will detonate if the vehicle‘s speed drops below 50 mph. —

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024 The big picture: Several Adams allies are also ensnared in the complicated legal web surrounding the mayor, as four different corruption probes unfold. —

Avery Lotz, Axios, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ensnare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensnare

Verb

He was trapped inside the vehicle while U.S. military police exchanged gunfire with insurgents.

Danielle Bacher, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
In Seattle, a tree fell onto a vehicle, temporarily trapping someone inside, the Seattle Fire Department reported.

CBS News, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024