Synonyms

ensnare

American

[en-snair] / ɛnˈsnɛər /

verb (used with object)

ensnared, ensnaring

to capture in, or involve as in, a snare.

to be ensnared by lies; to ensnare birds.

Synonyms:

enmesh, entangle, entrap

Antonyms:

release

ensnare British

/ ɪnˈsnɛə /

verb

to catch or trap in a snare
to trap or gain power over someone by dishonest or underhand means

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

ensnarement noun
ensnarer noun
ensnaringly adverb
unensnared adjective

Etymology

Origin of ensnare

First recorded in 1585–95; en- ¹ + snare ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If you heed our words, you will avoid the pitfalls that ensnare many others.

From Barron's

In between, it tells the story of an ordinary man ensnared in Brazil’s political turmoil during the late 1970s.

From Los Angeles Times

"Jeffrey had a habit of trying to ensnare people into his delusional world," she added.

From BBC

Experts say the resources are limited and oil majors may not clamor for leases that could ensnare them in the Golden State’s stringent environmental policies.

From Los Angeles Times

I have also implemented some tech tweaks that make the AI less ensnaring.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023