ensnare

/ɪnˈsneə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈsner/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈsner en-/ (ame, mw)

ensnare — verb

  • ensnarepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • ensnareshe / she / it
  • ensnaredpast simple
  • ensnaring-ing form

1. to force a person or animal into a difficult or harmful situation that they cann

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to force a person or animal into a difficult or harmful situation that they cannot easily escape from, especially by using tricks, lies, or other dishonest methods

例句

The con artist ensnared several retired people in a fake investment scheme that took their life savings.

ensnare + object + in + [scheme/deception]

Villagers were ensnared by the traffickers' promise of high-paying jobs in another country.

passive: be ensnared by [deceiver]

同義詞
  • entrap

    more formal and often used in legal contexts, especially police sting operations

  • trap

    more general and neutral; can be literal or figurative

  • snare

    similar register to ensnare but less common; also can be literal (animal trapping)

  • embroil

    focuses on involvement in conflict or trouble rather than deception

反義詞
  • free

    neutral opposite; to release from a trapped situation

  • liberate

    more formal and emphatic; to set free from oppression or control

文法句型

ensnare + object

ensnare + object + in/into + noun phrase

passive: be ensnared by [agent]

用法筆記

Almost always used figuratively — describing deception or entrapment in relationships, schemes, or dangerous situations rather than physical capture. Common in passive constructions (be ensnared by/in).

常見錯誤

❌The hunter ensnared a rabbit in the forest.
✅The hunter trapped a rabbit in the forest.
💡'ensnare' is rarely used for literal animal trapping; use 'trap' or 'catch' instead.
❌I accidentally ensnared my finger in the door.
✅I accidentally caught my finger in the door.
💡'ensnare' implies deliberate deception, not a physical accident.