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
Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2025
For less than $10, this pack comes with eight roach traps that contain bait.
—Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
The freezing rain then traps lichen under a thick layer of ice where hungry reindeer can’t reach the food, according to Anna Skarin, a reindeer husbandry expert and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences professor.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for traps
Noun
Episode 6 traps the teens in the Academy for what amounts to a prison riot, with many of the students and staff played by actual stunt performers.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2025
For less than $10, this pack comes with eight roach traps that contain bait.
—Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
This reaction effectively traps polysulfides and converts them back into usable sulfur.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
The freezing rain then traps lichen under a thick layer of ice where hungry reindeer can’t reach the food, according to Anna Skarin, a reindeer husbandry expert and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences professor.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for traps
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traps
Noun
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Under an imperial decree, her captors become unlikely allies, guiding Jewish refugees through ambushes, shifting alliances and treacherous waters, while Sara confronts leadership, loyalty and love at a high cost.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
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Two months later, the group launched more than two dozen attacks across northeastern Syria, relying on a combination of guerrilla tactics, including small arms fire, ambushes, assassinations, and improvised explosive devices targeting military checkpoints and government vehicles.—
Caroline Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.—
Daniella Segura,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Oct. 2025
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Kurt's key takeaway The fact that Chrome has already faced six zero-day attacks this year shows how relentless attackers are and how even the most popular software can have serious gaps.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This enables easy removal without tangles or hair damage.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
18 Sep. 2025
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And while the musky-floral fragrance brings major beach vibes, the nonsticky styler skips the sea salt, replacing it with hydrolyzed rice protein to add volume and natural movement minus the crunchiness or tangles.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As dusk fell, small frogs were found near the mouths of caves as water flowed from their rocky openings, researchers said.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
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People with certain bacteria and fungi in their mouths may face a dramatically higher risk of pancreatic cancer — more than three times greater — according to new research from NYU Langone Health and and Perlmutter Cancer Center.—
Amy McGorry,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The agent then grabs Moreta-Galarza and forces her several feet down the hallway and into a wall.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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Jonah grabs Henry's gun and shoots him coldly in the head.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From this point of view, Xidan Books may seem to suffer from comparison with the Zhongshuge chain, whose outlets are drawing increasing numbers of Beijing readers thanks to interior design that catches the eye and spurs a desire to linger at length.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
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But there are specific pointers for ensuring your trap catches the intruder.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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At the same time, the broadcast nets have become more aggressive in pushing viewers to their streaming platforms and away from their linear destinations, diverting eyeballs away from local TV.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
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The challenge was a very physical obstacle course involving cargo nets, wide-step bridges, digging up ladders, opening rope gates and scaling ramps.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While the plots are similar— an ex-revolutionary is forced back into action after his daughter is kidnapped by a former nemesis— the film lands as a much more straightforward action movie, following relatively conventional story beats.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
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The ball lands on a black 13, a nod to Swift's lucky number.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Traps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traps. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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