TRAPPING Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

trapping

verb

Definition of trapping

present participle of trap

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

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

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 trapping Authorities kept the affluent, forested Cap Ferret peninsula mostly empty because a nearby hot spot could flare again, threatening its limited road access and trapping residents and tourists. — Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026 Heat domes act like a lid on a pot, trapping and enhancing hot air beneath them. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 The warmer air aloft acts like a lid, trapping the heavier, cooler air, which can’t easily flow over mountains. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 At least 13 people have been confirmed killed in the aftermath of a major earthquake that struck Japan on July 28, toppling buildings and trapping workers in a shopping mall. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 July 2026 This step aerates the butter mixture, trapping tiny air bubbles that make for a light and tender crumb. — Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026 On Wednesday, July 22, Abdoulaye Dieng died from asphyxiation after trapping his head between a mirror and an iron bar at the Luz do Brás daycare center in São Paulo, Brazilian outlets O Globo and G1 reported. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026 An explosion in the tunnel, suspected to have been caused by methane trapped in or released from rocks, filled it with dense fumes and toxic gases, trapping 25 workers and officials of NHPC. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 July 2026 In 2023, a tunnel section in northern Uttarakhand state collapsed, trapping 41 workers for 17 days before they were rescued. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trapping

Verb

If your duvet cover has buttons or zippers, Ceconi recommends fastening the closures before laundering to prevent tangling.

— Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 14 July 2026
This will help prevent tangling and stretching during the wash cycle.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

Definition of tangling

Verb

Because of the abyss that comes into play in the mid-30s at RB, grabbing a RB (or two) in the first three tiers is crucial.

— Jake Ciely, New York Times, 31 July 2026
The 35-year-old actor is often photographed doing deeply ordinary things around Manhattan—grabbing coffee, running errands, walking to wherever—wearing outfits that shouldn’t always work but somehow do.

— Sam Reed, Glamour, 30 July 2026

Definition of grabbing

Verb

Democrats called the hearing a politically motivated attempt at entrapping Fauci and praised the scientist for his work during the pandemic.

— Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Another one of the Tates’ lawyers filed a claim on Fisher’s behalf, accusing Hadley of entrapping him.

— Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

Definition of entrapping

Verb

Former Chicago Police first deputy superintendent Anthony Riccio said catching these riders isn't easy and riders know it.

— Jermont Terry, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Polizzi, 38, credited regular Pap smears with catching her cancer early and encouraged other women to keep up with their own exams for early detection.

— Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of catching

Verb

First baseman Michael Busch finished the play by reaching out and snaring Hoerner’s dazzling throw to complete the highlight and nab the speedy Salazar for the out.

— Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Pickens was even more dominant, snaring nine balls for 144 yards and a score.

— Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2025

Definition of snaring

Verb

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
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

Definition of ensnaring

Verb

In fact, there are twelve notes (to be specific), all handpicked by master perfumer and fragrance expert Jérôme Epinette capturing a range of floral, fruity, and earthy.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 2026
This involves a dual-camera setup capturing practical footage for the side walls, augmented by CGI.

— Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of capturing

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trapping

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“Trapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trapping. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of trapping

verb

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