TRAPPED Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

trapped 1 of 2

adjective

as in bound

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trapped

2 of 2

verb

past tense of trap

as in tangled

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

as in grabbed

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

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 trapped

Adjective

The earwigs are attracted by the scent of the soy sauce and easily become trapped in the oil mixture. — The Spruce, 21 July 2026 For years, many researchers believed quantum wells would struggle to support efficient terahertz operation because electrons could become trapped inside the structures for too long. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026 As many news reports will remind you, thoroughly rinsing produce under clean, running water is recommended, especially for fruits and vegetables with nooks and crannies where dirt and contaminants may become trapped. — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026 This position allows any trapped water to flow out; repeat this process every night before bed so the bottle is fresh and dry for the next morning. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026 To escape this new reality, the duo must confront the weight of their lineage and decide whether their love can break the cycle or if they’re doomed to remain trapped forever. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 14 July 2026 This is what can lead to trapped water, which can cause a ton of costly structural damage. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 10 July 2026 Five people were killed and 12 others remained trapped after a landslide in northwestern China, state media said Tuesday. — ABC News, 7 July 2026 The normally prickly and unsympathetic Harriet Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) switches gears into hero mode, rounding up the town's men to scour the countryside for the children who've become trapped. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

Verb

The driver of the semi-truck was trapped inside the cab and was extricated by crews before being transported to the hospital for evaluation. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026 Last November, a 45-year-old man died after he was trapped inside a donation box in Houston and was unable to breathe, officials said. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 Airpower Is More Than Bombing Discussions of aerospace power are often trapped in outdated images of mass bombing campaigns, attacks against cities, and theories developed during the first half of the 20th century. — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Beyond the Spider-Verse, which sees Miles trapped in an alternate universe and on the run while trying to save his family. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 July 2026 Taylor-Joy brings the necessary confidence to her confidence woman, while still conveying the childlike fear inherent to a character who’s felt trapped her whole life. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026 Fine particles trapped in microfiber can scratch surfaces like glass and crystal. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 July 2026 What to read next Within one lunar week (which is roughly seven months on Earth), over half the methane was trapped at the moon's cold polar areas, with a whopping 42% of the substance trapped at the south pole compared to 12% at the north pole. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 14 July 2026 If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible. — Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trapped

Adjective

The team checked this directly by computing how much of each galaxy's baryon budget actually stayed bound to the system.

— Paul Sutter, Space.com, 9 June 2026
To help calculate a lower bound, Erdős assumed that the points would be laid out in a grid.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 June 2026

Definition of bound

Verb

June 21 – July 22 Money or trust could expose where comfort and control have gotten tangled.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
Almost every 22-minute chapter here follows the same comfortably familiar outline, with the leads getting acclimated to a new universe, getting tangled up in a life-or-death showdown and then fleeing to the next one.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

Definition of tangled

Adjective

While standing at the case, visitors can hear the audio of the speech where Douglass criticizes Americans celebrating freedom while millions remain enslaved.

— Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
In addition to mandating short hair, Rome also forbade clothing made with animal skins, even for enslaved people—another fashion associated with Germanic enemies.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2026

Definition of enslaved

Verb

Robert is unwittingly entrapped, and has absconded with something mob bigwig Lombardi wants revenge for.

— Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
There were 27 people inside the store at the time, including two who became partially entrapped but were able to free themselves and safely leave, according to local authorities.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 July 2026

Definition of entrapped

Verb

Everyone seems to be getting along except for Andriy and Bobby, who are already butting heads with Jude caught in the middle.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026
The earliest reefs caught the attention of the North Carolina Division of Commercial Sports and Fisheries in the 1970s, now the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.

— Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

Definition of caught

Adjective

Roughly the size of a large dog and weighing more than 110 pounds (50 kilograms), the quadruped robot is designed to navigate industrial facilities that include staircases, narrow walkways, uneven surfaces, and confined spaces.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
Sewers can contain numerous hazards, including noxious and potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and confined spaces.

— Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026

Definition of confined

Verb

Off the field, head coach Mike Vrabel was ensnared in controversy.

— Jim Reineking, USA Today, 27 July 2026
But years later, some of the highest-flying professional clubs have folded due to financial mismanagement, and dozens of soccer officials have been banned or imprisoned, and numerous teams ensnared in an anti-graft campaign.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of ensnared

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trapezists

trapped

trapper

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“Trapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trapped. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of trapped

adjective

verb

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