1
as in ambush
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
undercover agents devised a trap to catch the counterfeiters a bear trap
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in ambushment
a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait
an overland route to the Far East that was once notorious for the many robbers who laid traps for unsuspecting wayfarers
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tangle
something that catches and holds
the promotion is really just a trap to keep her from taking a new job elsewhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to tangle
to catch or hold as if in a net
an ambitious young man who was now trapped in a series of shady business deals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
finally trapped the annoying fly in the palm of his hand
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trap
Rob Wile, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
Towels left bunched up trap moisture, develop a musty smell and can transfer mildew to skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Zoe Mintz, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The Kings have prioritized defense for most of the past two decades, often playing a sticky, trapping style that doesn’t promote offensive creativity or attack.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for trap
Noun
Tackle weighty subjects without falling into the trap of self-seriousness.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
Towels left bunched up trap moisture, develop a musty smell and can transfer mildew to skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
That's why the Central Valley's fog can get so thick, the fog is trapped by the surrounding mountains and keeps getting thicker.
—Zoe Mintz, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The Kings have prioritized defense for most of the past two decades, often playing a sticky, trapping style that doesn’t promote offensive creativity or attack.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for trap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trap
Noun
-
Police here have arrested five suspects, including three Bay Area residents, in an ambush shooting that killed an 18-year-old woman outside a party.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In 2016, Mexican authorities arrested Flores Silva after being accused of orchestrating an April 2015 ambush against Mexican police officers in Soyatlan, Jalisco.—
Rocío Muñoz-Ledo,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This can happen due to your natural hair texture, dryness, or environmental stressors like wind, friction from your pillowcase, or pollution—your cuticles can catch on each other like Velcro, Small says, causing tangles.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Across the street, through a thick tangle of forest, the Khodymchuks’ building stood tall and gray in the snow.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On the edges of the park, middle schoolers could be seen raising their wrists to their mouths, requesting more time.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The adhesive had hardened around the cat’s eyes and mouth, restricting his ability to breathe, eat and drink.—
Kyle Melnick,
Washington Post,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
At least one person was entrapped in the wreckage, according to the Forney Police Department.—
Steven Rosenbaum,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Grunion may be taken by hand only — no appliances of any kind may be used, and no holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mikal Bridges grabbed the offensive rebound and threw it out to Jalen Brunson.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
The director also grabbed images on the fly, using his iPhone during location scouting to get close-ups of the insects and on set during forest chases.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The beats are stiffly period-appropriate, repurposing Shawty Redd snare rolls, bouncy Zaytoven keys, and snap music low end without flourish.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
21 Apr. 2026
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And their childhood friend Wesley Backer is on traps, banging on a 55-gallon rain barrel for a bass drum, buckets for the snare and toms, and sheet metal for cymbals.—
Jessica Meszaros,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Kings have prioritized defense for most of the past two decades, often playing a sticky, trapping style that doesn’t promote offensive creativity or attack.—
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Severe is the second-highest rung on a five-point scale and means intelligence agencies consider an attack highly likely in the next six months.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Indeed, the mine site stands on a patchwork of state, federal and private land, creating a regulatory labyrinth.—
Todd Richmond,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to the labyrinth of unclear messaging around the campaign, Republicans say the ballot language itself is confusing.—
Jahd Khalil,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trap. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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