What is the difference between entrap and trap

This is a common pattern of prefixed versus nonprefixed verb pairs. Because of the strongly transitive nature of entrap , I feel a strong pull toward a nuance of "intelligent design" or intention or relationship.

Entrap hints at the more personal, more malevolent, more premeditated intent. Of course, the literal hunting meaning, albeit strong with intention, would be exclusively trapped. I might say, while fully intentional and premeditated, in this classic meaning, it lacks malevolence and personal qualities.

So I might differ with deaconB's opinion: to me being entrapped by seaweed sounds a bit off to me, since the seaweed lacks intention. With the spousal posse, spot on. So I would avoid entrapped where intention is absent, but either verb works when intention is present, with a darker side to entrapped : He was trapped by his past decisions. He was trapped by the rising water.

While playing tether ball, I accidentally trapped my buddy with the tether. If there is a trap device, one is trapped. If one is caught in a box canyon, surrounded by your wife and her friends, or your legs are caught in the seaweed, you are entrapped. Been thinking abouit this all day, and I don't think there is a bright line rule, but this is pretty good first approximation. Search titles only. Search Advanced search…. Members Current visitors. Interface Language. Log in. Install the app.

Forums English Only English Only. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. See en- 1 , trap 1. Words nearby entrap entrance , entrance pupil , entranceway , entrancing , entrant , entrap , entrapment , entrapment neuropathy , entreasure , entreat , entreaty.

Words related to entrap enmesh , ensnare , entangle , entice , implicate , seduce , allure , bag , beguile , catch , decoy , embroil , hook , inveigle , lure , net , snare , tempt , trap , trick. The Daughters of Danaus Mona Caird.

Choose the Right Synonym for entrap catch , capture , trap , snare , entrap , ensnare , bag mean to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing.

Examples of entrap in a Sentence We used the net to entrap a school of fish. The air bubbles were entrapped in ice. She felt that she was entrapped in an unhappy marriage. Recent Examples on the Web His playbook of operations was called the Trout Memo — after the fly-fishing technique designed to entrap trout.

First Known Use of entrap , in the meaning defined at sense 1. Learn More About entrap. Time Traveler for entrap The first known use of entrap was in See more words from the same year. Style: MLA. English Language Learners Definition of entrap.