as in to trap
to catch or hold as if in a net
for two years the couple was ensnarled in the red tape of an international adoption
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of ensnarl
Election controversies in several swing-state counties have the potential to ensnarl the presidential race.
—
John Riley, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024
Other common problems can quickly be solved by wiping off the optical sensors with a soft cloth, unclogging the vacuum chute when Legos have gotten stuck inside, and cutting off long hair that has ensnarled the roller or side brushes.
—WIRED, 24 Mar. 2023
Eastbound 580 traffic remained reduced to three lanes and severe congestion began to ensnarl the highway shortly after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
—Ricardo Cano, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Mar. 2023
Those exact questions would divide state government and ensnarl Utah’s COVID-19 response in politics as hundreds, and then thousands, of Utahns fell ill while the coronavirus spread worldwide.
—Bethany Rodgers, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Sep. 2021
All the while, their suspicions focused on Mr. Dulos, with whom she had been ensnarled in a bitter, yearslong custody battle.
—Michael Gold, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2020
That led to a police chase that ended in Miramar, where the robbers became ensnarled in traffic and exchanged gunshots with the police.
—Lisa J. Huriash, sun-sentinel.com, 12 Dec. 2019
The site is part of what was once envisioned as a downtown neighborhood featuring hundreds of new homes, but the original plan by developer Zaremba Inc. was ensnarled by challenges from the start.
—Jordyn Grzelewski, cleveland.com, 5 Sep. 2019
John Riley, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024
Other common problems can quickly be solved by wiping off the optical sensors with a soft cloth, unclogging the vacuum chute when Legos have gotten stuck inside, and cutting off long hair that has ensnarled the roller or side brushes.
—WIRED, 24 Mar. 2023
Eastbound 580 traffic remained reduced to three lanes and severe congestion began to ensnarl the highway shortly after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
—Ricardo Cano, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Mar. 2023
Those exact questions would divide state government and ensnarl Utah’s COVID-19 response in politics as hundreds, and then thousands, of Utahns fell ill while the coronavirus spread worldwide.
—Bethany Rodgers, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Sep. 2021
All the while, their suspicions focused on Mr. Dulos, with whom she had been ensnarled in a bitter, yearslong custody battle.
—Michael Gold, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2020
That led to a police chase that ended in Miramar, where the robbers became ensnarled in traffic and exchanged gunshots with the police.
—Lisa J. Huriash, sun-sentinel.com, 12 Dec. 2019
The site is part of what was once envisioned as a downtown neighborhood featuring hundreds of new homes, but the original plan by developer Zaremba Inc. was ensnarled by challenges from the start.
—Jordyn Grzelewski, cleveland.com, 5 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensnarl
Verb
-
At the landfill site dozens of rescuers scrambled overnight in search of people trapped.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
How much is a trapping license in Kentucky?—
Hannah Pinski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Crowded roots may also be tightly packed and tangled, causing the plant to begin to push out of its pot.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Washington and Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez get their feet tangled up and both went to the ground.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ensnarl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensnarl. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share