1
as in ambushes
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
undercover agents devised a trap to catch the counterfeiters a bear trap
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of traps
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
No other bears have been caught in traps that were set up in the area, according to the release.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
Moving on, however, becomes a problem when a mysterious unseen force traps and forces them to relive past traumas together in this supernatural soap opera.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
No other bears have been caught in traps that were set up in the area, according to the release.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 24 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
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Matthew and Christina were both in critical condition following the shooting, their family said in a GoFundMe set up immediately after the attacks.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Long forward passes in transition are common, rather than expansive, intricate attacks.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And not just vague signs, actual amyloid plaques and tau tangles, the same hallmarks seen in human patients.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
14 Oct. 2025
-
There are piles of rubble and tangles of cable.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Using icing, pipe sharp teeth inside mouths.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The gear, often connected to a trap on the seafloor and a buoy at the surface, can wrap itself around whales’ mouths, tails and bodies, leaving them struggling to feed and even swim.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Maybe Deandre Ayton snares his first signature Lakers moment.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After Grace quotes Zooey Deschanel's character, Thames grabs her face and kisses her out of the frame.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Another strong Lions performance could mark a turning point this season where Detroit grabs control of the division and doesn't look back.—
Nick Meyer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Researchers used nearly invisible nets called mist nets high in the trees to trap the bats.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
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Working primarily in the North Sea, Müller had pioneered the use of extremely fine nets to collect these and other tiny marine organisms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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How crypto founders can get rich quick Crypto founders are enjoying soaring valuations as the market catches fire by utilizing secondary sales, which allow investors to purchase shares of a company from the founder itself.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
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No more market gluts that spoil catches or result in mushy frozen filets.—
Amanda Leland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Traps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traps. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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