TRAP Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'trap' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of trap are bag , capture , catch , ensnare , entrap , and snare . 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 could 'bag' be used to replace 'trap'?

The words bag and trap can be used in similar contexts, but bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey. // bagged a brace of pheasants

Q: When is it sensible to use 'capture' instead of 'trap'?

While in some cases nearly identical to trap , capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty. // capture an enemy stronghold

Q: When might 'catch' be a better fit than 'trap'?

In some situations, the words catch and trap are roughly equivalent. However, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding. // caught the dog as it ran by

Q: How do 'entrap' and 'ensnare' relate to one another, in the sense of 'trap'?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative. // entrapped the witness with a trick question // a sting operation that ensnared burglars

trap 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrap

Definition of trap

as in ambush

a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise undercover agents devised a trap to catch the counterfeiters a bear trap

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in ambushment

a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait an overland route to the Far East that was once notorious for the many robbers who laid traps for unsuspecting wayfarers

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in tangle

something that catches and holds the promotion is really just a trap to keep her from taking a new job elsewhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in mouth

slang the opening through which food passes into the body of an animal shut your trap before someone belts you one!

Synonyms & Similar Words

trap

2 of 2

verb

as in to tangle

to catch or hold as if in a net an ambitious young man who was now trapped in a series of shady business deals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grab

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly finally trapped the annoying fly in the palm of his hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb trap contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of trap are bag, capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, and snare. 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 could bag be used to replace trap?

The words bag and trap can be used in similar contexts, but bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is it sensible to use capture instead of trap?

While in some cases nearly identical to trap, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When might catch be a better fit than trap?

In some situations, the words catch and trap are roughly equivalent. However, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How do entrap and ensnare relate to one another, in the sense of trap?

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 trap

Noun

The snack bag’s silica gel packet gave him the idea for DryOut, a multilayer material that pulls water away from a device, absorbs and traps it, then lets moisture evaporate when exposed to sunlight so it can be reused. — Hannah Singleton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Taking over the trap is slang for kicking in the door to someone else’s place and taking their valuables for yourself. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Ancient myths and modern cinema depict bogs as sinister locales, dangerous to cross, and fatal to get trapped in. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 Dahmen advises against using plastic, which can trap moisture and damage plants as temperatures rise. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trap

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trap

Noun

Using that information to inform computer models, the scientists found that mosasaurs were skilled ambush predators built for a quick sneak attack.

— October 16, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026
A couple of years later, in his major studio debut, Abrams worked alongside Ryan Gosling in Gangster Squad until his shoeshine boy character caught a bullet during a mob ambush near a newsstand.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambush

Noun

The claim that Ukraine has halted its strikes on energy sites could not be independently verified, but neither Russian officials nor media have reported Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries since the energy truce was announced.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Before the current attacks, the airport handled roughly 110,000 passengers a day — similar in scale to Miami International airport.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

The ejection of water molecules favors the interaction, supporting the alignment needed for the messy tangle to grow.

— Mike McRae October 13, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
This tangle of contradictions had served in the Army for over four decades, spending several years as Army Chief of Staff.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of tangle

Noun

But a few times in recent years, Hollins, a veterinarian, tricked Jonathan and slid a cotton swab into the giant tortoise's mouth to get a saliva sample.

— KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Kip’s leaning into the frame, giving a thumbs-up, one of the KitKats in his mouth like a cigarillo.

— George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of mouth

Verb

Those who have been fully overtaken by the Bardo, with no hope of escape, are entrapped in giant puppet suits.

— Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 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

Verb

Ditto for the reinterpretation of thong sandals that grabbed attention at Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier, or the clear vinyl-like styles seen at Balenciaga, Chloé, Simone Rocha, Stella McCartney and Moschino, among others.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Mel Ismail, a 56-year-old father, was rescued by another surfer who just happened to show up at the beach and was willing to risk his own life by grabbing his board and heading towards the bloody water.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of grab

Noun

In postwar Spain, a young girl discovers a mysterious labyrinth and a magical world while living under the rule of her brutal stepfather.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
Outdoors, we were greeted by sculptures from Joan Miró’s labyrinth to Alberto Giacometti’s courtyard.

— Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of labyrinth

Cite this Entry

Style

“Trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trap. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of trap

noun

verb

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Synonyms of trap

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing trap

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Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

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