as in trapping
to catch or hold as if in a net
parked just out of view, the state trooper was lying in wait to ensnare unwary speeders
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Recent Examples of ensnaring
And in that quest for unbridled growth, the AI industry has wrested ungodly amounts of capital from investors all looking for the next big thing, ensnaring the entire economy.
—
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The upcoming April 7 vote over the renewal of Kansas City’s 1% earnings tax will mark one of the biggest tests of whether that opposition could risk ensnaring a critical resource for the city.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
And if a mother kept a piece of jasper on hand throughout her child’s infancy, they would both be protected from malign spirits of the air and from the tongue of the ancient serpent that was hell‑bent on ensnaring newborns.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
After months of investigating allegations of a $140 million Ponzi scheme, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office has made numerous criminal referrals and issued $1 million in fines, ensnaring a number of state GOP figures.
—Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
More so, though, Levin took it upon himself to appeal directly to the person who wrote the note, at the very least cautioning them against ensnaring themselves in a federal crime.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
The Greek name is of uncertain origin, but it’s often linked to ideas of binding, entangling, or ensnaring—reflecting the Sirens’ deadly allure.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Montespan’s rivals accused her of ensnaring the king using the dark art of potions.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Out of her depth, Diane digs deeper into the investigation, her determination to uncover the truth revealing a web of corruption and danger at the highest levels, ensnaring Diane, her family and all those around her.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The upcoming April 7 vote over the renewal of Kansas City’s 1% earnings tax will mark one of the biggest tests of whether that opposition could risk ensnaring a critical resource for the city.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
And if a mother kept a piece of jasper on hand throughout her child’s infancy, they would both be protected from malign spirits of the air and from the tongue of the ancient serpent that was hell‑bent on ensnaring newborns.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
After months of investigating allegations of a $140 million Ponzi scheme, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office has made numerous criminal referrals and issued $1 million in fines, ensnaring a number of state GOP figures.
—Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
More so, though, Levin took it upon himself to appeal directly to the person who wrote the note, at the very least cautioning them against ensnaring themselves in a federal crime.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
The Greek name is of uncertain origin, but it’s often linked to ideas of binding, entangling, or ensnaring—reflecting the Sirens’ deadly allure.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Montespan’s rivals accused her of ensnaring the king using the dark art of potions.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Out of her depth, Diane digs deeper into the investigation, her determination to uncover the truth revealing a web of corruption and danger at the highest levels, ensnaring Diane, her family and all those around her.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensnaring
Verb
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The star ingredients of Skintimate’s Fragrance Free 2-in-1 Shave Oil + Moisturizer are ideal for creating just that, pairing vitamin E—which is both a water-attracting humectant and water-trapping emollient—along with shea, almond, and jojoba oils.—
Eden Stuart,
Allure,
29 May 2026
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People rely on the Amazon for water and the hotter, drier conditions should increase wildfire risk, Seabrook said, threatening to turn the Amazon, which now sucks heat-trapping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, into a region that worsens the problem.—
Seth Borenstein,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Recently, researchers in Germany developed a chain-launching drone interceptor that disables UAVs by tangling their spinning rotors midair.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
-
Wrap cords using cable ties to prevent tangling and fraying.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another one of the Tates’ lawyers filed a claim on Fisher’s behalf, accusing Hadley of entrapping him.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
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This might not be a circumstance where the AI would shine in aiding the mental health of the user (or, on the other side of the coin, deluding them and entrapping them).—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ensnaring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensnaring. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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