entrapped

USAGE SUMMARY

"entrapped" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is caught in a difficult or dangerous situation that they cannot escape from or someone who is tricked into a situation. For example, "The terrorist had entrapped the hostages in the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So the heroic Ned Stark loses his head, and his family is entrapped in the horror of the Red Wedding.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He said he had been simply been "too trusting", and his lawyers argued that the DEA had entrapped him into a crime he would not otherwise have committed.

The Economist

Human Rights Watch, a pressure group, reports that homosexuals are often entrapped, subjected to humiliating "forensic" examinations and given long jail terms for "debauchery".Other groups singled out include indigent street children and Shias, a small minority in Egypt.

The Economist

This policy, complained Mr Mehta in the letter, would ensure that India remained "entrapped in the caste paradigm .Mr Mehta and a colleague quit after a month of protests against the proposals.

The Economist

Every year is crucial for the 3 billion people who are entrapped by poverty.

The Economist

The effects are seen in the rise of jellyfish, and also in algal blooms and "blobs", something he describes as "the rise of slime .Indeed, a report recently identified increases in marine mucilage, a seasonal phenomenon consisting of a gelatinous mess of decomposing sea animals, plants, faeces and anything else that has become entrapped in the slime.

The Economist

Yet this explanation has always seemed inadequate, with the government privately admitting to having sometimes shelled the "no-fire zone", an area of the battlefield it declared as a sanctuary for entrapped refugees, of whom perhaps 50,000 remain.

The Economist

In August General Hassan's men entrapped a senior pro-Syrian politician, Michel Samaha, allegedly in the act of transporting explosives from the Syrian capital, Damascus, to his flat in Beirut.

The Economist

He denies the molestation charges, and that he lured young men by using the trappings of his office.Should the Spokesman-Review have entrapped the mayor like this?

The Economist

Dressed rats hung alongside mule meat in the market.Federal troops lived off the land, so other Mississippians suffered almost as much as those entrapped in Vicksburg.

The Economist

Obstacles to progress have included residual prejudice and neglect in the white (i.e., European) community and the lingering consequences of the vicious circle of poverty, ignorance, and disease in which native peoples became entrapped after their earliest encounters with whites.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "entrapped", consider the context carefully. It often implies a sense of being caught or deceived in a situation one cannot easily escape. Choose it when that specific nuance is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "entrapped" when a simpler word like "trapped" or "caught" suffices. "Entrapped" carries a stronger connotation of trickery or inescapable circumstances, and overusing it can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "entrapped" functions primarily as a past participle or adjective. It describes a state of being caught, confined, or involved in a situation, often against one's will or through deception, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "entrapped" is a versatile term primarily used as a past participle or adjective to describe a state of being caught or confined, often with an element of deception. As Ludwig's examples show, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedic contexts, reflecting its use in describing situations where individuals or entities are caught in complex or manipulated circumstances. While the phrase is considered grammatically correct, according to Ludwig AI, writers should be mindful of its specific connotation of trickery and inescapable circumstances, avoiding its overuse in simpler confinement scenarios. Considering appropriate alternatives, such as "trapped" or "confined", may enhance clarity and impact in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trapped

A more common and direct synonym for being physically or metaphorically confined.

ensnared

Implies being caught in a trap or net, often suggesting a cunning or deceptive element.

snared

Similar to "ensnared", indicating being caught in a trap, often unexpectedly.

lured

Suggests being tempted or deceived into a situation, often with negative consequences.

confined

Focuses on the restriction of movement or freedom, whether physical or metaphorical.

caught

A general term for being captured or stuck in a situation, without necessarily implying deception.

imprisoned

Highlights the lack of freedom and being held against one's will, either literally or figuratively.

circumvented

Suggests being outmaneuvered or tricked into a disadvantageous position.

deceived

Emphasizes the element of trickery and manipulation in leading someone into a compromising situation.

bogged down

Describes being stuck or hindered in progress, often due to complex or overwhelming circumstances.

FAQs

How is "entrapped" typically used in a sentence?

The word "entrapped" is often used to describe someone or something caught in a dangerous or inescapable situation, often with an element of deception or trickery. For example, "The soldiers were "trapped" in the city by the enemy forces."

What are some alternatives to using "entrapped"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "trapped", "ensnared", "confined", or "caught". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a legal meaning associated with "entrapped"?

Yes, in law, "entrapped" often refers to a situation where someone is induced or tricked by law enforcement into committing a crime they would not otherwise have committed. This is known as entrapment.

How does "entrapped" differ from simply being "trapped"?

"Trapped" generally indicates being physically or metaphorically unable to escape a situation. "Entrapped", however, often suggests that the person was lured or deceived into that situation, implying a deliberate act by someone else. So "entrapped" carries a stronger sense of manipulation.