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
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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
Yost is leading a wide-ranging investigation into Cuyahoga County government and the jail that has ensnarled members of Budish’s administration.
—Eric Heisig, cleveland.com, 30 Aug. 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
Yost is leading a wide-ranging investigation into Cuyahoga County government and the jail that has ensnarled members of Budish’s administration.
—Eric Heisig, cleveland.com, 30 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensnarl
Verb
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On issue after issue — guns, property taxes, transgender rights — Republicans will try to trap Jolly, forcing him to play identity politics, likely a losing proposition.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
Verb
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In June, Emily’s legs were tangled between Gen’s in the flatbed of Gen’s pick-up truck, the metal hot beneath her skin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2025
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The homeowner's Stars and Stripes, which was fluttering on the flagpole beside the entrance, was tangled.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ensnarl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensnarl. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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