1
as in tangling
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grabbing
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
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Recent Examples of trapping
The blaze quickly extended to Engine 79’s firetruck and spread to the first-floor staircase, trapping firefighters upstairs.
—
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
By trapping radiation from the Sun and from deep space, our planet’s magnetic field is part of what makes Earth habitable for us and other life forms.
—Scott Solomon, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Mangroves also help address climate change in a more direct way, by trapping planet-warming carbon.
—Ryan Kellman, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
The upper platform rose, trapping the man, who was the owner of the hauler business.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
But under state law, Richter said, coyotes are classified as carriers for rabies, meaning trapping and relocating isn’t possible.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
When food runs low, Yolanda takes to trapping rabbits.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Inspectors found dead roaches in a trapping device under a three-compartment sink.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Any shortfall is carried forward, trapping workers in a cycle of debt bondage, the report said.
—Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
By trapping radiation from the Sun and from deep space, our planet’s magnetic field is part of what makes Earth habitable for us and other life forms.
—Scott Solomon, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Mangroves also help address climate change in a more direct way, by trapping planet-warming carbon.
—Ryan Kellman, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
The upper platform rose, trapping the man, who was the owner of the hauler business.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
But under state law, Richter said, coyotes are classified as carriers for rabies, meaning trapping and relocating isn’t possible.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
When food runs low, Yolanda takes to trapping rabbits.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Inspectors found dead roaches in a trapping device under a three-compartment sink.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Any shortfall is carried forward, trapping workers in a cycle of debt bondage, the report said.
—Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trapping
Verb
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Its hot water wash dissolves stubborn grease on the mop pads, while its specialized Curv design prevents long hair from tangling around the brushes.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
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The instinctive Moon opposes jovial Jupiter, tangling your 10th House of Ambition with your 4th House of Comfort.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kaufman-Renn hit his first seven shots — going 6-for-6 and grabbing five rebounds in the first half — on the way to 20 points.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Agents targeted grocery stores, churches, and construction sites, smashing car windows and pulling people from vehicles or grabbing them at a hardware store parking lot.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The vehicle caught on fire, entrapping the boy, who was pronounced dead at the scene.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Getting young people to trust and depend on the traffickers is part of entrapping them.—
Anne P. DePrince,
The Conversation,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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For those who have the option, more are contemplating walking, cycling, carpooling or catching the bus or train to get some relief.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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That inspired some smirks from Boone and Tanner Swanson, the team’s director of catching.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Pickens was even more dominant, snaring nine balls for 144 yards and a score.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Nov. 2025
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At least Cochrane was familiar with the feeling of snaring an interception.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some even resorted to body snatching in the name of education.—
Tara Ramanathan,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
25 Mar. 2026
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Switching between modes is as easy as pressing a button, but testers say MC Mode is the real standout for its jaw-snatching results.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly praised Rubio’s handling of Venezuela after capturing former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
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As for the music video, it was filmed in a diner in Mexico City, capturing the full atmosphere of the 1950s — milkshakes included — albeit featuring dancers performing in the style of Texas norteño.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trapping. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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