ensnare

verb

en·​snare in-ˈsner 

en-

ensnared; ensnaring; ensnares

transitive verb

: to take in or as if in a snare

Synonyms

• catch up
• enmesh
• immesh
• ensnarl
• entangle
• entoil
• entrap
• mesh
• net
• snare
• tangle
• trap

Choose the Right Synonym for ensnare

catch, capture, trap, snare, entrap, ensnare, bag mean to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing.

catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

trap, snare, entrap, ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor.

trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals

snared butterflies with a net

entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question

a sting operation that ensnared burglars

bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

Examples of ensnare in a Sentence

The animals got ensnared in the net.

The police successfully ensnared the burglar.

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the weekend, fellow rap icon Jay-Z was ensnared in the case when one of the complaints against Combs was amended to reveal the Roc Nation founder as a previously unnamed celebrity accused of assaulting a victim alongside Diddy. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

The verdict and sentencing bring closure to one chapter of an abuse scandal that ensnared the northeastern Indiana university's distance running program. —Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Oct. 2024

A number of Adams’ former top aides have also been ensnared in federal probes. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 26 Nov. 2024

The Madigan trial is the culmination of a sweeping federal investigation that ensnared numerous lobbyists, from a handful of ex-lawmakers to the former leaders of utility giant Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois. —Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 17 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ensnare

verb

en·​snare in-ˈsna(ə)r 

-ˈsne(ə)r

: snare entry 2 sense 1, entrap