1
as in ambush
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
undercover agents devised a trap to catch the counterfeiters a bear trap
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in ambushment
a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait
an overland route to the Far East that was once notorious for the many robbers who laid traps for unsuspecting wayfarers
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tangle
something that catches and holds
the promotion is really just a trap to keep her from taking a new job elsewhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to tangle
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
finally trapped the annoying fly in the palm of his hand
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trap
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
By then, Russian forces had dug formidable defenses, including trenches, landmines, and tank traps — and the element of surprise, which Ukraine had used to great advantage in the first year of the war, was lost.
—Jamie McIntyre, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
That's a problem when they're trapped in an experimental machine that simulates their creative ideas.
—James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trap
Noun
Unable to resist a tempting aroma, the traps successfully lured their target – large iridescent orchid bees – including four species never before recorded in Ecuador, according to a study published Feb. 24 in the Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
By then, Russian forces had dug formidable defenses, including trenches, landmines, and tank traps — and the element of surprise, which Ukraine had used to great advantage in the first year of the war, was lost.
—Jamie McIntyre, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, cries for help emerged on social media for a group of priests trapped inside a church in the Carrefour-Feuilles neighborhood, which endured much of the attack by the Viv Ansanm gang coalition that began late Tuesday.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
That's a problem when they're trapped in an experimental machine that simulates their creative ideas.
—James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trap
Noun
-
The attack from the president and vice president of the United States in the Oval Office on Ukraine’s president seemed to many observers like an ambush.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Judging by the reaction of most Ukrainians to the ambush of their president in the Oval Office, this effort will not succeed.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
All the while, the brain hosts an even more complex tangle of chemicals.—
Elana Spivack,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The fighting is fueled by the region’s vast mineral wealth, and driven by a tangle of ethnic and political conflicts, as well as decades of bad governance.—
Patricia Huon,
The Christian Science Monitor,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Most notably, Taylor, the bride's sister-in-law and bridesmaid, leaned forward and opened her mouth so wide that couldn't open any further.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
17 Mar. 2025
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By now, Rick’s eyes are wide and his mouth is hanging open.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Gabi and Robinson head to the diner to entrap Maggie with yet another plate of cheese fries.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
-
In the initial announcement about the plan to vacate the convictions of felons entrapped by crack-selling stings in Broward County, the convicts were told not to contact the State Attorney's Office or the Broward Sheriff's Office.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
He’s minimized the walks, partly due to his willingness to use his curveball early in counts for strikes to get ahead and grab count leverage.—
Fabian Ardaya,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Jones intentionally missed the free throw, grabbed his own rebound and fired a pass to Labissiere, who had popped out to the corner for a potential 3-point attempt.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Echoing the raw feelings of heartbreak, the album is stripped back, with sparse snares and cymbals in lieu of a full drumkit.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Bonham’s sister, Deborah, also provided the team with home movies from their childhood, which captured endearing footage of Baby Bonzo playing his first-ever drum kit with just a snare and cymbal.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The attack starts with hackers uploading what looks like a harmless extension to the Chrome Web Store.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Many of the attacks on Tesla cars and dealerships are allegedly in protest of Elon Musk‘s efforts to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government through pressure from the Department of Government Efficiency.—
Heather Hunter,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This article seeks to demystify probate, shedding light on its challenges and offering strategies to navigate or even avoid this legal labyrinth.—
Matthew F. Erskine,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The White Helmets got to work trying to dig people out of prisons, some of which have a labyrinth of cells underground.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
6 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trap. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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