ensnared 1 of 2

adjective

as in trapped

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ensnared

2 of 2

verb

past tense of ensnare
as in tangled
to catch or hold as if in a net parked just out of view, the state trooper was lying in wait to ensnare unwary speeders

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 ensnared
Verb
The homeowner, Brett Bymaster, lauded officers for ending the chaotic situation swiftly and without any harm to his adult children, son-in-law, and young grandchildren who were unwittingly ensnared in the encounter. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 This is partially because, for the brief duration of her success, she has been ensnared in a debate over her authenticity. — Abigail Sylvor Greenberg, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026 Abdeen was spared this round of scrutiny, but these leaders, and countless ordinary citizens, would be ensnared in the government’s new dragnet. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 The irony here is that Singer is returning to his profession while so many ensnared in his application shenanigans never fully got back to theirs. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026 Off the field, head coach Mike Vrabel was ensnared in controversy. — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 27 July 2026 But years later, some of the highest-flying professional clubs have folded due to financial mismanagement, and dozens of soccer officials have been banned or imprisoned, and numerous teams ensnared in an anti-graft campaign. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026 Torn between brotherly love and marital loyalty, Irwin discovers he’s ensnared in forces far beyond his control. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 16 July 2026 Ruemmler is the 18th high‑profile witness in a bipartisan House probe of Epstein’s powerful network, which has ensnared Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, investor Leon Black and Justice Department officials. — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensnared
  1. trapped
  2. tangled
  3. bound
  4. enslaved
Adjective
  • The bear apparently opened the vehicle door, climbed inside and then became trapped when the door closed behind it.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the bear, which weighed about 300 pounds, entered an unlocked vehicle while searching for food, became trapped inside and likely was exposed to the summer heat over several days before it was discovered.
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of trapped
Verb
  • Reese was tangled up in the paint with the Fire's Carla Leite as Dream guard Rhyne Howard made a 3-pointer from the right corner during the fourth quarter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Because trunk cargo nets have large holes, pointed items such as fishing poles, bats, or rackets can get tangled.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of tangled
Adjective
  • The team checked this directly by computing how much of each galaxy's baryon budget actually stayed bound to the system.
    — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 9 June 2026
  • To help calculate a lower bound, Erdős assumed that the points would be laid out in a grid.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 June 2026
Definition of bound
Adjective
  • The construction of the statue, completed in 1852, involved an enslaved apprentice.
    — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Of the 10 children Edy and her husband, Joseph Fossett, an enslaved blacksmith, had together, three were born in the White House.
    — Sophie Clausen, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of enslaved

Browse Nearby Words

ensnare
ensnared
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Cite this Entry

“Ensnared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensnared. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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