ensnare

verb

en·​snare in-ˈsner How to pronounce ensnare (audio)
en-
ensnared; ensnaring; ensnares

transitive verb

: to take in or as if in a snare
Choose the Right Synonym for ensnare

catch, capture, trap, snare, entrap, ensnare, bag mean to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing.

catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

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

entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question
a sting operation that ensnared burglars

bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

Examples of ensnare in a Sentence

The animals got ensnared in the net. The police successfully ensnared the burglar.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Japan’s drug laws have ensnared other corporate executives before. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025 After the car was ensnared on I-96 near Star Road, the driver continued to try to drive away, resulting in the rear wheels being ripped off the vehicle. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025 Depending on how the policy is implemented, this could ensnare graphics cards and many consumer electronics. PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025 And yet, these counterattacks may be ensnaring scientists in a catch-22. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ensnare

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ensnare was in 1576

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ensnare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensnare. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

ensnare

verb
en·​snare in-ˈsna(ə)r How to pronounce ensnare (audio)
-ˈsne(ə)r

More from Merriam-Webster on ensnare

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