ensnare

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ensnare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb to describe trapping or catching something or someone, often in a way that restricts the person or thing so that escape is not possible. For example: He felt as if he had been ensnared in a web of lies, with no way to escape.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But most impartial observers think Mr Giuliani's "broken windows" strategy (where police arrest people for small crimes and thereby ensnare bigger criminals, who may be carrying guns or drugs when they dodge subway fares) did a lot to make a scary city safer.

The Economist

The charges come amid a broader federal investigation into corruption in Alaskan politics that could ensnare others.

The Economist

Opponents counter that, once the tax exists, it will be easily extended to ensnare ever more taxpayers.

The Economist

The concert was a trap to ensnare him for performing illegally (something Nikita Visotzky learned eight years ago from a former Uzbek KGB man).

The Economist

Thus women were seen as vulnerable to male seduction, particularly by unscrupulous rakes who plotted with bawds to ensnare the innocent.

The Economist

To do that, he will have to free himself of the political networks and alliances that he inherited from previous administrations and which still ensnare the country.

The Economist

It also threatens to ensnare several politicians aligned to the present government who had dealings with BBC and may prefer Mr Saxena's silence.

The Economist

Other new platforms also seek to forge a direct link between film-makers and their audiences, bypassing the maze of traditional distribution networks, where old-fashioned regulators lie in wait to ensnare them.

The Economist

The Tax Policy Centre estimates that his tax plans would boost the national debt by $758 billion by 2018, assuming that Mr Bush's tax cuts remain in place and the Alternative Minimum Tax a parallel tax system aimed at the wealthy doesn't ensnare a growing share of the middle class.

The Economist

He recently said that his effort to ensnare DirecTV had taken up "a tremendous amount of our senior executives' time...for a whole 12 months".

The Economist

If the limit is set low enough to ensnare Facebook, for instance, which earns comparatively little in France, some French firms could also be hit.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ensnare" when you want to emphasize the deceptive or কৌশলী nature of trapping someone or something.

Common error

Avoid using "ensnare" in very casual conversations; simpler words like "catch" or "trap" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ensnare" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It describes the action of trapping or capturing something or someone. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, from literal trapping to metaphorical entrapment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ensnare" is a versatile verb that means to trap or catch, often implying a cunning or deceptive method. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage and frequency in various contexts, mainly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While "ensnare" can be used in place of words like "trap" or "catch", it carries a slightly more formal tone and suggests a deliberate act of trapping, as seen in the example sentences. While correct, avoid overusing it in casual speech where simpler alternatives may suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snare

Similar to "ensnare", specifically implying the use of a trap.

trap

Implies setting a device or situation to catch someone or something.

entrap

Suggests tricking someone into a dangerous or compromising situation.

capture

Indicates taking control of someone or something, often by force.

catch

A general term for seizing or obtaining something.

entangle

Suggests becoming caught in something complicated or restrictive.

enmesh

Implies involving someone deeply in a complex or difficult situation.

lure

Suggests attracting someone with a temptation or promise.

decoy

To trick someone into a particular place or direction.

frame

To manipulate evidence to make someone appear guilty of a crime they didn't commit.

FAQs

How to use "ensnare" in a sentence?

The word "ensnare" means to trap or catch something or someone, often in a way that restricts them. For example: The spider used its web to "ensnare" its prey.

What can I say instead of "ensnare"?

You can use alternatives like "trap", "entrap", or "capture" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ensnare" or "entrap"?

"Ensnare" and "entrap" are similar, but "ensnare" often implies a more cunning or deceptive method of trapping. Entrap can also suggest a legal context, such as "police entrapment".

What's the difference between "ensnare" and "catch"?

"Catch" is a general term for seizing something. "Ensnare" implies a more elaborate or cunning method of trapping, often involving a snare or trap. It suggests more than simply "catching something".