noose

1 of 2

noun

ˈnüs 

1

: a loop with a slipknot that binds closer the more it is drawn

2

: something that snares like a noose

noose

2 of 2

verb

noosed; noosing

transitive verb

1

: to secure by a noose

2

: to make a noose in or of

Synonyms

Noun

• entanglement
• mesh(es)
• morass
• net
• quagmire
• quicksand
• snare
• tanglement
• toil(s)
• trap
• web

Examples of noose in a Sentence

Noun

the representative was forced to resign after getting caught in a noose of lies and corruption

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As the noose tightens around al Qaeda's neck, its motivation to mount a spectacular attack to demonstrate its prowess and rally its supporters grows. —Graham Allison, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2010

But new research suggests that one English woman convicted of witchcraft and condemned to be hanged may have escaped the noose. —Julia Buckley, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

In 2023, Vail claimed that Oliva had a fixation with knots and nooses as well as stealing art supplies, like paint brushes, in high school. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English nose, of uncertain origin

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing noose

• slip noose
• tighten the noose

Kids Definition

noose

noun

ˈnüs

: a loop that passes through a knot at the end of a line so that it gets smaller when the other end of the line is pulled