dragnet

noun

drag·​net ˈdrag-ˌnet How to pronounce dragnet (audio)
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
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.
The lawsuit could place Trump’s DOJ in the position of either defending the prior administration’s largest criminal dragnet or paying restitution to some of the most infamous figures from the Capitol riot. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025 So, some of them have been altering the language on their websites in the hope of avoiding this digital dragnet. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025 The dragnet also collected proprietary information belonging to Tesla, Blue Origin, Amgen, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, and dozens of other companies. ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025 Allowing those militarized agents to make dragnet abductions and warrantless arrests and detain people without due process. Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dragnet

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dragnet was in 1528

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dragnet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dragnet. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

dragnet

noun
drag·​net ˈdrag-ˌnet How to pronounce dragnet (audio)
1
: a net dragged along the bottom of a body of water
2
: a series of planned actions for catching a criminal

More from Merriam-Webster on dragnet

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