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

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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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

Example 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 white-hot brightness of Diana’s spotlight also ensnared her brother, Charles Spencer. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026 From SiriusXM to gym memberships to streaming services, automatic rollovers are ensnaring consumers into subscriptions all across the economy. — Lindsay Owens, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026 Even so, by the end of 2024, the agents had enough evidence to pursue a sweeping bribery probe that could ensnare top lawmakers of both political parties. — William Turton, ProPublica, 22 Sep. 2026 Carrie Coon as a Holocaust survivor ensnared in a cult in The Liberation, the story of director Guy Nattiv’s own grandmother. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ensnare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensnare

Verb

The friction over editorial decisions, particularly around Israel, has trapped CBS in its own Middle East media war.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The alligator was trapped and killed, Winter Garden Police Chief Michael Mason said.

— Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of trap

Verb

One fascination of this brave book—brave in its disclosures but more so in its demands, its spiritual rigor, and its ardent intellectualism—lies in watching the eloquent, intelligent sufferer steadily entrapping herself.

— James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
How else could that show have ended, the way people were being entrapped, and, certainly, with the dubious legality of it all?

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of entrap

Browse Nearby Words

enslaving

ensnare

ensnared

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“Ensnare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensnare. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ensnare

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