1
as in tangling
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grabbing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trapping
That vomit accretes in layers across avian generations, trapping 50,000 years’ worth of data about the birds’ diet and the sea ice environment.
—
Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
Near the summit of Half Dome, on the infamous steel cables hikers use to ascend the final stretch of bare granite, another traffic jam formed, trapping people hundreds of feet in the air, according to social media posts.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
During the winter months, the natural offshore winds blow emissions out to sea rather than trapping them over our cities, making the expensive California blend an unnecessary burden on drivers.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Scientists have found a way to make a new class of gas-trapping glass easier to manufacture by borrowing a centuries-old principle from traditional glassmaking.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 May 2026
High pressure creates sinking air, trapping all the fog that's trying to rise at the surface.
—Zoe Mintz, CBS News, 3 May 2026
But on the other, the reality of lockdown is profoundly repetitive, trapping them all in an endless present tense.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Neither ExxonMobil nor Chevron lost significant amounts of oil production after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, trapping 20% of the world’s output during the year.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Leave the shower door or curtain slightly open after use so the interior can air out instead of trapping humidity.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
Near the summit of Half Dome, on the infamous steel cables hikers use to ascend the final stretch of bare granite, another traffic jam formed, trapping people hundreds of feet in the air, according to social media posts.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
During the winter months, the natural offshore winds blow emissions out to sea rather than trapping them over our cities, making the expensive California blend an unnecessary burden on drivers.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Scientists have found a way to make a new class of gas-trapping glass easier to manufacture by borrowing a centuries-old principle from traditional glassmaking.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 May 2026
High pressure creates sinking air, trapping all the fog that's trying to rise at the surface.
—Zoe Mintz, CBS News, 3 May 2026
But on the other, the reality of lockdown is profoundly repetitive, trapping them all in an endless present tense.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Neither ExxonMobil nor Chevron lost significant amounts of oil production after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, trapping 20% of the world’s output during the year.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Leave the shower door or curtain slightly open after use so the interior can air out instead of trapping humidity.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trapping
Verb
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Recently, researchers in Germany developed a chain-launching drone interceptor that disables UAVs by tangling their spinning rotors midair.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
-
Wrap cords using cable ties to prevent tangling and fraying.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Other complaints had to do with the Puerto Rican rap star grabbing his crotch, and with two dancers who allegedly grabbed each other's breasts (which, if true, is a wild dance move).—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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Particularly since the savings made in service-staff costs and brick-and-mortar bar space, not to mention the affordability of buying booze here in China's RMB currency, aren't that far off grabbing a can or bottle from a nearby 24-hour convenience store.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The vehicle caught on fire, entrapping the boy, who was pronounced dead at the scene.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Getting young people to trust and depend on the traffickers is part of entrapping them.—
Anne P. DePrince,
The Conversation,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Abdoler echoed that, noting there is a much higher risk of catching other kinds of viruses, like influenza, while sailing.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
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Investigators worked to find and bring Austin into custody, catching a break by digging into his social media accounts.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Pickens was even more dominant, snaring nine balls for 144 yards and a score.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Nov. 2025
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At least Cochrane was familiar with the feeling of snaring an interception.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Unit was responsible for snatching former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
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The video game company generated buzz in 2021 after retail investors, mobilizing on Reddit, started snatching up GameStop shares, driving it up more than 2,000%.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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And in that quest for unbridled growth, the AI industry has wrested ungodly amounts of capital from investors all looking for the next big thing, ensnaring the entire economy.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
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The upcoming April 7 vote over the renewal of Kansas City’s 1% earnings tax will mark one of the biggest tests of whether that opposition could risk ensnaring a critical resource for the city.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For these artisans of light, the process was less about capturing the moment than crafting an image.—
Robb Rice,
Robb Report,
10 May 2026
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Israel has since carried out hundreds of airstrikes and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, capturing dozens of towns and villages along the border.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trapping. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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