Synonyms of trap

trap 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrap 

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

• ambush
• snare
• ruse
• web
• net
• trick
• deception
• entrapment
• entanglement
• pitfall
• catch
• envelopment
• hazard
• snag
• subterfuge
• ploy
• land mine
• duplicity
• cheat
• enmeshment
• cheating
• booby trap
• double-dealing
• artifice

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

• ambush
• ambushment
• attack
• surprise
• ambuscade
• snare
• assault
• capture
• entrapment
• mousetrap
• hunting
• charge
• sally
• stalking

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

• tangle
• snare
• labyrinth
• quicksand
• maze
• web
• entanglement
• noose
• quagmire
• net
• morass
• mesh(es)
• tanglement
• toil(s)
• snarl
• knot
• cobweb
• spiderweb
• cat's cradle

4

as in mouth

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

shut your trap before someone belts you one!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mouth
• chops
• gob
• jaws
• kisser
• mug
• yap
• piehole
• face
• muzzle
• puss
• countenance
• visage
• maw
• mandible
• gullet
• maxilla

trap

2 of 2

verb

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

• tangle
• entrap
• snare
• ensnare
• mesh
• enmesh
• net
• capture
• entangle
• involve
• catch up
• ensnarl
• entoil
• implicate
• collar
• mire
• birdlime
• embroil
• bag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disentangle
• detach
• extricate
• disengage
• free
• liberate
• clear
• untangle

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grab
• catch
• capture
• snatch
• seize
• snare
• get
• land
• hook
• snag
• net
• rap
• nab
• corral
• grapple
• bag
• snap (up)
• nail
• take hold (of)
• cop
• rope
• collar
• nobble
• clutch
• grasp
• glove
• glom
• arrest
• hold
• grip
• apprehend
• entrap
• ensnare
• kidnap
• bay
• secure
• detain
• fist
• corner
• mesh
• clasp
• latch (on or onto)
• entangle
• lasso
• rend
• fasten (on)
• halter
• abduct
• spirit (away or off)
• wrest
• enmesh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• release
• discharge
• free
• liberate
• drop
• loosen
• unhand

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb trap contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of trap are bag, capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, and snare. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," 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

When could bag be used to replace trap?

The words bag and trap can be used in similar contexts, but bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is it sensible to use capture instead of trap?

While in some cases nearly identical to trap, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When might catch be a better fit than trap?

In some situations, the words catch and trap are roughly equivalent. However, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How do entrap and ensnare relate to one another, in the sense of trap?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question

a sting operation that ensnared burglars

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of trap

Noun

In an effort to avoid custom-design traps, the Dutch carrier chose an off-the-shelf model from seat manufacturer Stelia that was already flying on sister airline Air France. — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

The industry goes straight to trying to do the same thing and falls back into that same trap. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

New institutions must not get trapped into owning only a single step of a larger sequence. — Jennifer Pahlka, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

But being trapped as a teenager on a teen show for many years did frustrate me enough to want to do the YA genre justice. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing trap

• booby trap