TRAPS Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

traps 1 of 2

noun

Definition of traps

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

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

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

Pulling crab traps with his three kids and the five-minute commute to work are perks of his newfound island life. — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026 The inspector found organic matter in the ice machine, fly traps hanging in the kitchen and a dead roach in the hand sink drain. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2026 But the market is turning on subscriptions that feel like traps. — Ali Aydan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 This is consistent with the idea that solitary (and aggressively hormonal) males were more likely to die in natural traps, such as landslides or sinkholes, increasing the chance that their bones would be preserved over thousands of years. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 Finally, traps need to be maintained, such as replacing the lures, and disposing of the dead insects and/or traps periodically. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 For qubits, the traps are far smaller and serve to hold a single electron in place. — ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026 When a duo of robbers (Joe Pesci‘s Harry and Daniel Stern‘s Marv) try to break in, Kevin sets a series of traps to deter them. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 Beekeepers and other residents are encouraged to set traps to strengthen monitoring of the yellow-legged hornet. — Eva Flowe july 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026

Verb

Dropping the voltage just below copper’s reaction threshold transforms the electrode into a metal magnet that selectively traps copper on its surface while letting background salts flow through. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026 New data reveals work stress traps individuals in a negative feedback loop, severely impacting sleep and overall performance. — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Finally, traps need to be maintained, such as replacing the lures, and disposing of the dead insects and/or traps periodically. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 Both approaches use a structure that traps electrons in a region smaller than the electron’s wavelength. — ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026 Homer’s hero has extramarital affairs with goddesses Circe and Calypso — the latter of whom traps him and forces him to sleep with her each night for seven years. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 27 July 2026 Polyphemus The most famous of the Cyclops, Polyphemus traps Odysseus and his crew in his cave before devouring several of the men. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026 This heat dome traps the smoke from faraway wildfires close to the ground, resulting in hot, humid, hazy, and ultimately unpleasant conditions. — Leon Imber, New York Times, 17 July 2026 The heat dome — an atmospheric phenomenon that essentially traps hot air over a particular location — built in the West after the first heat wave of the summer began to bake the area last week. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 12 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traps

Noun

These columns were the target of frequent ambushes, as were the trains and buses that carried refugees across the new borders.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
Humans prepare for warfare with more surveillance, taking to higher ground to gather information, conducting ambushes and raids, and quietly spying on enemy territory to avoid detection.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

Definition of ambushes

Noun

In recent years and as online culture changed, Hilton toned down his public attacks and appeared to embrace fatherhood and adopt a kinder public persona, even integrating more family-friendly content on his site.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Russia set new wartime records for both the scale and pace of its missile attacks on Ukraine in July, according to data released by the Ukrainian Air Force.

— Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

An overabundance of the SORLA protein protected against a number of biological processes linked to the formation of tau tangles and progression of neurodegeneration.

— Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026
During this time, the brain starts to shrink, and the misfolded proteins that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s begin to build up — sticky amyloid beta plaques in the brain and tau tangles in neurons.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 21 July 2026

Definition of tangles

Noun

The turbulence pushes unwanted particles away from the coral’s surface while redirecting nutrients toward polyps’ mouths.

— Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Since then, there have been a few nuggets about the nuptials made public as the guests are, for the most part, keeping their mouths shut on the specifics.

— Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026

Definition of mouths

Verb

The hallmarks of the Navy Blue sound are present—barely-there snares keeping time in the distance, string samples melting into reflective puddles, overtones from resonant piano lines.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026
Hair snares use tape and wire to collect DNA and other data by collecting a sample of wild animal hair when creatures pass by, according to Popular Science.

— Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026

Definition of snares

Noun

Each target may require a different approach, from robotic arms to nets, harpoons, or enclosure systems like ClearSpace's.

— Alan Bradley, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The task force suggests that altering the physical environment, such as putting up nets, barriers to force drones into different flight paths, and making one’s surroundings appear uninteresting from the air can deceive drones.

— Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026