ensnaring

verb

present participle of ensnare
as in trapping
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

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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 ensnaring Xinhua The anti-corruption campaign has reached every level of China’s political system, ensnaring millions of senior leaders and rank-and-file officials. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 And in that quest for unbridled growth, the AI industry has wrested ungodly amounts of capital from investors all looking for the next big thing, ensnaring the entire economy. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 The upcoming April 7 vote over the renewal of Kansas City’s 1% earnings tax will mark one of the biggest tests of whether that opposition could risk ensnaring a critical resource for the city. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026 And if a mother kept a piece of jasper on hand throughout her child’s infancy, they would both be protected from malign spirits of the air and from the tongue of the ancient serpent that was hell‑bent on ensnaring newborns. — Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026 After months of investigating allegations of a $140 million Ponzi scheme, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office has made numerous criminal referrals and issued $1 million in fines, ensnaring a number of state GOP figures. — Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026 More so, though, Levin took it upon himself to appeal directly to the person who wrote the note, at the very least cautioning them against ensnaring themselves in a federal crime. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026 The Greek name is of uncertain origin, but it’s often linked to ideas of binding, entangling, or ensnaring—reflecting the Sirens’ deadly allure. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025 Montespan’s rivals accused her of ensnaring the king using the dark art of potions. — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensnaring
  1. trapping
  2. tangling
  3. entrapping
Verb
  • Beavers were nearly wiped out due to 300 years of trapping and trading.
    — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Henri Bezy, 82, was sleeping inside when Matis came crashing in, trapping him under the car.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of trapping
Verb
  • Specialized compartments for rings, statement necklaces, and dainty earrings keep each piece accessible, plus the soft material prevents tangling and damage.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
  • If your duvet cover has buttons or zippers, Ceconi recommends fastening the closures before laundering to prevent tangling.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 14 July 2026
Definition of tangling
Verb
  • Democrats called the hearing a politically motivated attempt at entrapping Fauci and praised the scientist for his work during the pandemic.
    — Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • Another one of the Tates’ lawyers filed a claim on Fisher’s behalf, accusing Hadley of entrapping him.
    — Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Definition of entrapping

Browse Nearby Words

ensnares
ensnaring
ensnarl
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Cite this Entry

“Ensnaring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensnaring. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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