Thesaurus

trap

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of trap

1 a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise

undercover agents devised a trap to catch the counterfeiters

a bear trap

Synonyms of trap

ambush, net, snare, web

Words Related to trap

enmeshment, entanglement, entrapment, envelopment

booby trap, catch, hazard, land mine, pitfall, snag

artifice, cheat, cheating, deception, double-dealing, duplicity, ploy, ruse, subterfuge, trick

2 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 of trap

ambuscade, ambush, ambushment, surprise (also surpize)

Words Related to trap

assault, attack, charge, sally

capture, entrapment, mousetrap, snare

hunting, stalking

3 something that catches and holds

the promotion is really just a trap to keep her from taking a new job elsewhere

Synonyms of trap

entanglement, mesh(es), morass, net, noose, quagmire, quicksand, snare, tanglement, toil(s), web

Words Related to trap

knot, snarl, tangle

cat's cradle, labyrinth, maze

cobweb, spiderweb

4 slang the opening through which food passes into the body of an animal

shut your trap before someone belts you one!

Synonyms of trap

chops, gob [chiefly British], kisser [slang], mouth, mug, piehole [slang], yap [slang]

Words Related to trap

countenance, face, puss [slang], visage

jaws, mandible, maxilla

trap

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of trap

1 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 of trap

catch up, enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, ensnarl, entangle, entoil, entrap, mesh, net, snare, tangle

Words Related to trap

bag, birdlime, capture, collar

embroil, implicate, involve, mire

Near Antonyms of trap

detach, disengage, extricate

clear, free, liberate

Antonyms of trap

disentangle, untangle

2 to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

finally trapped the annoying fly in the palm of his hand

Synonyms of trap

bag, capture, catch, collar, cop [slang], corral, get, glom, grab, grapple, hook, land, nab, nail, net, nobble [British slang], rap, seize, snag, snap (up), snare, snatch

Words Related to trap

glove, halter, lasso, rope

apprehend, arrest, detain

clasp, clutch, fasten (on), fist, grasp, grip, hold, latch (on or onto), secure

enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entangle, entrap, mesh

abduct, kidnap, spirit (away or off)

Phrases Synonymous with trap

take hold (of)

Near Antonyms of trap

discharge, free, liberate, release

drop, loosen, unhand

Antonyms of trap

Synonym Discussion of trap

catch, capture, trap, snare, entrap, ensnare, bag mean to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing. catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

- caught the dog as it ran by

capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

- capture an enemy stronghold

trap, snare, entrap, ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

- trap animals
- snared butterflies with a net

entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

- entrapped the witness with a trick question
- a sting operation that ensnared burglars

bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

- bagged a brace of pheasants

Learn More about trap

See words that rhyme with trap Dictionary: Definition of trap Spanish Central: Translation of trap Nglish: Translation of trap for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of trap for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trap

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up trap? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

viva voce

by word of mouth

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games