mousetrap

mouse·trap | \ ˈmau̇s-ˌtrap

How to pronounce mousetrap (audio)

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Definition of mousetrap

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a trap for mice

2 : a stratagem that lures one to defeat or destruction

3 : trap sense 2b

mousetrap

mousetrapped; mousetrapping; mousetraps

Definition of mousetrap (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to snare in or as if in a mousetrap

Examples of mousetrap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Mystery writer and game aficionado Andrew Wyke invites his wife’s lover, Milo Tindle, to his mousetrap of a country estate for a dangerous game of one-upmanship that keeps audiences guessing through every cunning twist and turn. — Andrea Simakis, cleveland, "Great Lakes Theater’s ‘The Music Man’ and ‘Julius Caesar’ spotlight con men and conspirators: Fall Theater Preview 2019," 29 Sep. 2019 That’s when the tension — abetted by mousetraps, a chain saw and monster tales — soars as high as Aaron’s beloved alps: An idyllic family vacation morphs into a quest for survival when Tristan disappears. — New York Times, "The Week in Arts: Sarah Jessica Parker Back for More ‘Divorce’; a Farewell to ‘My Fair Lady’," 29 June 2019 Viewed in one light, dating apps look like a brilliant mousetrap. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "HBO's 'Swiped' Argues That Silicon Valley Must Fix the Dating Mess It Created," 10 Sep. 2018 The policy was well-intended: A foreigner who invents a better mousetrap should be encouraged to stay. — Paul Donnelly, WSJ, "Give Immigrant Entrepreneurs Green Cards, Not ‘Parole’," 11 June 2018 Asked to name one area where he's learned to build a better figurative mousetrap, Cooter pointed to nuances within his playbook like running a route at a 14-yard depth instead of 12 yards. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions' Jim Bob Cooter expects improved offense, play calling," 29 May 2018 Speaking over cocktails at Shanghai's panoramic VUE Bar, which overlooks the historic riverfront area where Viking Sun is docked, Hagen suggests Viking has built a better mousetrap. — Gene Sloan, USA TODAY, "River cruise giant Viking soon could dominate upscale ocean cruising, too," 12 Mar. 2018 The better mousetrap is not built for a day, but to endure. — Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "John Calipari's formula may need an adjustment | Tim Sullivan," 17 Feb. 2018 Who knew the best mousetrap was invented over 400 years ago? — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "The Brilliant Simplicity of a 400-Year-Old Mousetrap," 28 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mousetrap.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near mousetrap

mouse-tailed bat

Statistics for mousetrap

Last Updated

24 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Mousetrap.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mousetrap. Accessed 11 December 2019.

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