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
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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
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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
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025
Camera traps in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary captured a video on April 28 of a healthy young black leopard, also known as a black panther, confidently striding down a path, according to a May 21 Facebook post from Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation Office.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Jenna Sundel
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for trap
Noun
Police in Fulton County, Georgia, arrested Rod Wave, the 26-year-old trap crooner whose real name is Rodarius Green, on Wednesday.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025
Camera traps in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary captured a video on April 28 of a healthy young black leopard, also known as a black panther, confidently striding down a path, according to a May 21 Facebook post from Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation Office.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Verb
Firefighters had to lift the minivan to rescue four people trapped underneath.
—Jenna Sundel
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for trap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trap
Noun
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Trump confronted South Africa's leader with false claims of genocide in Oval Office ambush.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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The ambush may have been revenge, according to court documents, KYTX reported.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Other experimental drugs have targeted the tau tangles, a different protein that builds up inside nerve cells.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
30 May 2025
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Despite the sleek design of modern gadgets and the rise of wireless solutions, both businesses and consumers still live in a frustrating tangle of cables.—
Mark Vena,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Blashill said as a smile lifted a corner of his mouth.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
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And finally, a strong inner foil seal placed over the mouth of the bottle.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Most horror flicks entrap their characters in one location or put them in some sort of unique, tense situation (think: satanic possession, or pissing off the wrong truck driver, attracting the wrong person, etc.), but in Final Destination, Death works with the great mundane canvas of ordinary life.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
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Early motherhood entraps them—and their children—in a bleak socioeconomic cycle that’s almost impossible to break.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a coffee shop where guests can grab drip coffee, fresh juices, and a small selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, Loco Moco.—
Jalyn Robinson,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2025
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The colorful bar framed in bright neon lights is on the main concourse, so people walking by can grab a drink and head to the casino or other favorite activity, Allen said.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Noun
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For instance, the researchers uncovered an incident from 2008, when scientists had observed a male chimp freeing an unrelated female from a nylon snare set by hunters to trap game.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 May 2025
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Wild chimpanzees have been observed self-medicating their wounds with plants, providing medical aid to other chimps and even removing others from snares left by human hunters, new research suggests.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
14 May 2025
Noun
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But after the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the movie was retooled with a new finale before being released in theaters on June 21, 2002.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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Hunger already killed her baby niece Dozens of babies have died of malnutrition, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and more than 53,000 people – or 4% of the entire population – have been killed since Israel launched its war following the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas and its allies.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Noun
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This particular one was modeled after the labyrinth in the Chartres Cathedral and dedicated to John-Roger after his death.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
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The giant spreads his arms to gesture at the labyrinth of pages, then throws his head back in cackling laughter.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trap. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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