ensnare

/in'sneə/
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Thân thiện
ensnare

The spider ensnares a fly in its delicate web.

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To catch in or as if in a trap: To capture or entangle someone or something, often using a physical snare or a deceptive situation.
    • To take or catch as if in a snare or trap; to frame: To cause someone to appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing through deceit or the fabrication of evidence.
Usage
  • The primary use is to describe the act of trapping, either literally (an animal) or figuratively (a person).
  • It often implies the use of cunning, trickery, or a carefully laid plan to capture or entrap.
Examples
  • Literal Use:
    • Hunters used to ensnare rabbits with simple wire loops.
    • The spider's web is designed to ensnare flying insects.
  • Figurative Use:
    • The complicated contract was designed to ensnare unsuspecting investors.
    • He felt ensnared in a web of lies from which he could not escape.
  • Use meaning "to frame":
    • The corrupt official tried to ensnare his rival with false accusations.
    • She claimed the evidence was planted to ensnare her.
Advanced Usage
  • "to ensnare someone into doing something": To trick or trap someone into a particular action or situation.
    • The scam ensnared people into sending money with promises of huge returns.
  • Passive Voice: Commonly used to describe the state of being trapped.
    • Many animals are tragically ensnared in illegal poaching traps.
    • He was ensnared by his own greed and ambition.
Variants and Related Words
  • Snare (n. & v.): A trap for catching animals; to catch with or as if with a snare.
    • The snare caught the bird by its leg.
  • Entrap (v.): A close synonym, often used in legal contexts to describe luring someone into committing a crime to secure a prosecution.
  • Ensnarement (n.): The act or condition of being ensnared. (Less common)
Synonyms
  • Trap: To catch or confine.
  • Entangle: To involve in a tangle or complicated situation.
  • Frame: To fabricate evidence against.
  • Ambush: To lie in wait to attack or capture.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "ensnare" itself is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions. The action is usually contained in the single verb.) - To be/become ensnared in: The common prepositional phrase indicating the situation or thing that traps someone. - He became ensnared in a lengthy legal battle.

Related Idioms
  • To fall into a trap/snare: To become caught in a deceptive situation. This idiom conveys a similar meaning to being ensnared.
    • By trusting the stranger, he fell right into their trap.
ensnare

The spider ensnares a fly in its delicate web.

Verb
  1. catch in or as if in a trap
    • The men trap foxes
  2. take or catch as if in a snare or trap
    • I was set up!
    • The innocent man was framed by the police

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