traps 1 of 2

plural of trap
1
2
as in attacks
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

3
as in tangles
something that catches and holds the promotion is really just a trap to keep her from taking a new job elsewhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in mouths
slang the opening through which food passes into the body of an animal shut your trap before someone belts you one!

Synonyms & Similar Words

traps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of trap

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
In western Australia, in a patch of ancient forest undisturbed by people, researchers set up pitfall traps with the goal of collecting elusive spiders. Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 Studies show these traps are useful for scientists who are monitoring beetle activity, but not for controlling beetles in your garden. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Moreover, stagnant air during heat waves traps pollutants close to the ground, creating prolonged bad air events. Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 This reaction effectively traps polysulfides and converts them back into usable sulfur. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for traps
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traps
Noun
  • 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
  • Aside from games like volleyball and dominoes, Gach says some children stage fake ambushes on one another while pretending to be government forces or rebel fighters.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The attacks included gunmen who used gliders to enter Israel.
    Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Executives appear worried the attacks are driven by conspiracy theories linking 5G cell towers to health risks, a concern that also sparked similar vandalism against cell sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There are piles of rubble and tangles of cable.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • When that happens, the neuronal structure that tau supports can destabilize in ways that contribute to the formation of tangles.
    Robert Martone, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Glue on black paper eyes and mouths in expressions of your choosing.
    Ellen Sturm Niz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Half-empty Yuenglings and Surfsides were tilted toward open mouths.
    Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But Henry grabs Julia at the last moment and presses all of their hands to the stones at once.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Viral video of the incident shows Eilish leaving the stage and exchanging high-fives with fans when someone grabs her arm and tires to yank her into the crowd.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But those Prince-like snares are rounded out with a full string orchestra of Swedish musicians.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • These added to the new Grace design evoking fishermen’s nets with its knotted front construction and ankle strap and available either flat or in a stiletto sandal, in black or burgundy napa leather, as well as in green suede.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Money speaks, the land listens, where the Anarchist skulked, where the horsethief plied his trade, we fishers of Americans will cast our nets of perfect ten-acre mesh, leveled and varmint-proofed, ready to build on.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Touchdown catches by Odunze, including at least one in each game.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The bag is easy to roll and lift, and the expandable zipper never catches.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Traps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traps. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on traps

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!