TRAP Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'trap' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of trap are bag , capture , catch , ensnare , entrap , and snare . While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," 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

Q: When could 'bag' be used to replace 'trap'?

The words bag and trap can be used in similar contexts, but bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey. // bagged a brace of pheasants

Q: When is it sensible to use 'capture' instead of 'trap'?

While in some cases nearly identical to trap , capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty. // capture an enemy stronghold

Q: When might 'catch' be a better fit than 'trap'?

In some situations, the words catch and trap are roughly equivalent. However, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding. // caught the dog as it ran by

Q: How do 'entrap' and 'ensnare' relate to one another, in the sense of 'trap'?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative. // entrapped the witness with a trick question // a sting operation that ensnared burglars

trap 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrap

Definition of trap

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

Relevance

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

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

as in mouth

slang the opening through which food passes into the body of an animal shut your trap before someone belts you one!

Synonyms & Similar Words

trap

2 of 2

verb

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb trap contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of trap are bag, capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, and snare. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," 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

When could bag be used to replace trap?

The words bag and trap can be used in similar contexts, but bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is it sensible to use capture instead of trap?

While in some cases nearly identical to trap, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When might catch be a better fit than trap?

In some situations, the words catch and trap are roughly equivalent. However, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How do entrap and ensnare relate to one another, in the sense of trap?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question

a sting operation that ensnared burglars

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of trap

Noun

Cady turns their lives into a trap of paranoia and, indeed, fear, while procuring plausible deniability to avoid consequences. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 But the market is turning on subscriptions that feel like traps. — Ali Aydan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Verb

Shutters with slats can trap debris and dirt that builds up over time. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026 Dropping the voltage just below copper’s reaction threshold transforms the electrode into a metal magnet that selectively traps copper on its surface while letting background salts flow through. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trap

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trap

Noun

Another aging stuntman, Ronald Hambleton, a former meth user who had done jail time, also said that Blake asked him to shoot his wife, proposing numerous scenarios, including an ambush outside Vitello’s.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
In his account of the era, the Roman historian Cassius Dio described a Ceretani ambush on the general’s soldiers around 39 BCE.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026

Definition of ambush

Noun

In recent years and as online culture changed, Hilton toned down his public attacks and appeared to embrace fatherhood and adopt a kinder public persona, even integrating more family-friendly content on his site.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
On April 1, Shawnda Jackson, the girl's grandmother, said there had been six adult relatives at the house, where the girl lived with 11 relatives, when the attack happened.

— Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

The tension eventually becomes unstable, causing the tangle of magnetic fields to snap apart and then magnetically reconnect, releasing a burst of energy.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
Her car remained unreachable hours later behind a thick tangle of leaves and branches.

— Theodore Parisienne, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of tangle

Noun

That, combined with a 3-14 finish, left a sour taste in right tackle Armand Membou‘s mouth.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a tanker’s master witnessed an explosion in close proximity to the vessel near Khasab, Oman, at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, late Sunday.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of mouth

Verb

Democrats called the hearing a politically motivated attempt at entrapping Fauci and praised the scientist for his work during the pandemic.

— Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Democrats on the committee have echoed Fauci's argument that the hearing is meant to entrap him.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of entrap

Verb

Vandersloot also had 10 assists and Cardoso grabbed 13 rebounds.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
When the Almaden Barnes & Noble closed last year after 26 years there was an emotional reaction from the community about a place to browse for books, magazines, puzzles and even grab a cup of coffee.

— Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of grab

Noun

Recounting her boyfriend calling the police on her during their fraught break-up, the chorus rings out over rowdy snares like a brutal playground taunt.

— Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
Poaching once devastated the park, but in the past decade, 40,000 wire snares have been removed, and black rhinos, cheetahs, lions and wild dogs have been reintroduced.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 19 July 2026

Definition of snare

Noun

For its part, the Westmoreland Museum of Art utilized its partnership with Art Bridges to develop the Art Maze, an interactive installation that transformed the museum’s Cantilever Galleries into a navigable labyrinth painted by local artists.

— News Desk, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
Nor must Morocco contend with California’s labyrinth of zoning, lawsuits, and YIMBY-NIMBY politics.

— Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

Definition of labyrinth

Cite this Entry

Style

“Trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trap. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of trap

noun

verb

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Synonyms of trap

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing trap

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Articles Related to trap

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Games & Quizzes