entrap

[ en-trap ]
See synonyms for: entrapentrappedentrapping on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),en·trapped, en·trap·ping.
  1. to catch in or as in a trap; ensnare: The hunters used nets to entrap the lion.

  2. to bring unawares into difficulty or danger: He entrapped himself in the web of his own lies.

  1. to lure into performing an act or making a statement that is compromising or illegal.

  2. to draw into contradiction or damaging admission: The questioner entrapped her into an admission of guilt.

  3. Law. to catch by entrapment.

Origin of entrap

1
From the Middle French word entraper, dating back to 1525–35. See en-1, trap1

Other words for entrap

Other words from entrap

  • en·trap·per, noun
  • en·trap·ping·ly, adverb
  • un·en·trapped, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use entrap in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for entrap

entrap

/ (ɪnˈtræp) /


verb-traps, -trapping or -trapped (tr)
  1. to catch or snare in or as if in a trap

  2. to lure or trick into danger, difficulty, or embarrassment

Derived forms of entrap

  • entrapper, noun

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