MEANING
To trap or entangle someone in a confining or difficult situation.
Use it for
Words that belong together
- ensnare in a trap
- ensnare in a scandal
On the page
The forged guarantee ensnared him in the investigation.
Nearby words
Word forms
- Base
- ensnare
- Past tense
- ensnared
- Past participle
- ensnared
- Present participle
- ensnaring
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- ensnare
- Present continuous
- am/is/are ensnaring
- Present perfect
- have/has ensnared
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been ensnaring
- Past
- ensnared
- Past continuous
- was/were ensnaring
- Past perfect
- had ensnared
- Past perfect continuous
- had been ensnaring
- Future
- will ensnare
- Future continuous
- will be ensnaring
- Future perfect
- will have ensnared
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been ensnaring
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Usage notes
Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: ensnare; ensnares; ensnared; ensnared; ensnaring Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: description, character, dialogue. Commonness: moderately common. Third-person singular: ensnares.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.