TRAPS Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

traps 1 of 2

noun

plural of trap

as in ambushes

a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise undercover agents devised a trap to catch the counterfeiters a bear trap

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Relevance

as in ambushments

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

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as in tangles

something that catches and holds the promotion is really just a trap to keep her from taking a new job elsewhere

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as in mouths

slang the opening through which food passes into the body of an animal shut your trap before someone belts you one!

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traps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of trap

as in snares

to catch or hold as if in a net an ambitious young man who was now trapped in a series of shady business deals

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in grabs

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 traps

Noun

Using camera traps, scientists captured definitive images of the elusive species, one of only five monotremes known to exist. —

Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025 Another possible explanation for the name is that this was also the season when people set beaver traps during the fur trade. —

Chantelle Lee, Time, 4 Nov. 2025

Verb

In one scene, the film’s villains, who run the Resources Development Administration, block the Tulkuns and traps them. —

Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Dec. 2025 The Tread, however, is genuinely lightweight (28 pounds) while still hitting 950 degrees Fahrenheit, thanks to clever double-wall construction that traps heat efficiently without the bulk. —

The Editors, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for traps

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traps

Noun

Hamas has used the tunnels to store weapons, hide hostages and stage ambushes of Israeli soldiers.

— Samuel Granados, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
In basic multiplayer fashion, there are bottlenecked spaces for ambushes, and everything loops together just fine for flanking.

— Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025