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

Included in the dragnet are rare, antique, and out-of-print books, according to media reports. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

The new rules also add pressure on wealthy households already facing a widening tax dragnet, along with private bankers, trust companies, and immigration agencies that help move their money and families abroad. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Abdeen was spared this round of scrutiny, but these leaders, and countless ordinary citizens, would be ensnared in the government’s new dragnet. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

These programs have expanded beyond opioids into a dragnet that shares health data across state lines, exposing patients who seek reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare to surveillance far from home. — Jennifer D. Oliva, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for dragnet

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids 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