Definition

Noun: 1. A large, conical fishing net that is actively pulled (dragged) through the water, typically at depth, to catch fish or other sea life. 2. A systematic and coordinated series of actions, such as searches or investigations, designed to catch or find a person or group of people, especially criminals.

Usage

• The word is a compound noun formed from "drag" and "net." It is used literally for a type of fishing gear and figuratively for a wide-ranging search operation.
• In the figurative sense, it often implies a broad, sometimes indiscriminate, effort to capture someone or gather information.

Examples

• Literal (Fishing):
  • The fishermen used a dragnet to catch a large school of herring.
  • Environmentalists are concerned about the impact of bottom dragnets on marine ecosystems.
• Figurative (Search/Arrest):
  • The FBI launched a nationwide dragnet to find the escaped convicts.
  • The security dragnet at the airport was tightened after the threat.
  • Several innocent people were questioned in the police dragnet.

Advanced Usage

• "to cast a dragnet": To initiate a wide-ranging search or investigation.
  • The agency cast a wide dragnet for information related to the cyberattack.
• "caught in the dragnet": To be ensnared or captured as part of a broad, sweeping operation, sometimes unintentionally.
  • Minor offenders were often caught in the dragnet during the city's major crime crackdown.

Variants and Related Words

• Trawl net (n): A type of dragnet, often used synonymously, especially for nets towed behind a boat.
• Trawl (v/n): The action of fishing with a dragnet or the net itself.
• Sweep (n): A similar figurative term for an organized search or arrest operation (e.g., a police ).

Synonyms

• Literal: Trawl net, seine net (a related but different type of net).
• Figurative: Manhunt, sweep, round-up, crackdown, search operation.

Related Phrases

• Dragnet operation: A formal term for a coordinated, large-scale search or arrest campaign.
  • The dragnet operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies.
• Dragnet search: Emphasizes the searching aspect of the operation.
  • Authorities conducted a dragnet search of the remote area.

Noun

1. a conical fishnet dragged through the water at great depths
2. a system of coordinated measures for apprehending (criminals or other individuals)
   • caught in the police dragnet