Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To take or catch in or as if in a snare; trap. synonym: catch.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • See insnare, insnarer.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To catch in a snare. See insnare.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb To entrap; to catch in a snare or trap.
  • verb To entangle; to enmesh.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb take or catch as if in a snare or trap
  • verb catch in or as if in a trap

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From en- +‎ snare.

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Examples

  • We already knew that the FBI showed up at the home of John Kinnucan, owner the independent research firm Broad Band Research, and asked him to wear a wire - in order 'ensnare' his client: SAC Capital.

    How The Government Is Targeting a SAC Capital Trader - CNBC 2010

  • He held out the roses and tried to ensnare me with his hypnotic gaze.

    Recipe for Love Shamara Ray 2011

  • In a struggle that could ensnare all three branches of government, the court is considering whether to order Gov.

    Court Weighs Funding Lisa Fleisher 2011

  • Surveillance extends beyond search because “ [r] ather than targeting specific information, surveillance can ensnare a significant amount of data beyond any originally sought” (Solove 2008: 109).

    DPI: simplified and demystified 2009

  • The Chimera had escaped all attempts to ensnare him.

    Rogue Oracle 2011

  • Try to ensnare a mortal anyway, using a Vale of Scrythax.

    Crossed J.F. Lewis 2011

  • Those are where the pressure lumps are usually situated, and centering on them will make you to ensnare these byproducts of tension and exhaustion.

    Hand Skeleton | SciFi, Fantasy & Horror Collectibles 2009

  • He held out the roses and tried to ensnare me with his hypnotic gaze.

    Recipe for Love Shamara Ray 2011

  • Once they arrive, they discover that the offer was basically a trap in order to ensnare would-be sexual sinners for denouncement and execution by the local fundamentalist church.

    Scott Mendelson: Review: Red State Scott Mendelson 2011

  • Well, Kate Middleton did ensnare the future king of England by flashing her knickers and bra from the runway.

    Must Haves for Spring Tina Gaudoin 2011

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