to ensnarl

Examples

• All

• She knew that she was going to be ensnarled—in chess, the sacrifice of the queen.

  Blog text (22)

• But more chains now ensnared the goddess, dragging her down, and Laura could see the fires dying in her eye sockets.

• It is like tentacles that get ensnared in the soul.

• It is like tentacles that get ensnared in the soul.

• "Was there a better Ponzi scheme than the one that ensnarled countless underfinanced homeowners?"

  Blog text (12)

• Candle shine almost ensnaring golden kingfishers Musk smoke subtly traversing embroidered lotuses.

• That redefinition of the cross was to rear up and ensnarl the international dialogue again in 1986 during the Auschwitz Convent controversy, a classic example of interreligious miscommunication.

  Academic text (2014)

• The fisherman tried to ensnarl the crab in his net as it scuttled across the sandy shore.

• The vines began to ensnarl around the old fence, making it difficult to see through.

Synonyms

C

to catch

vsto ensnarl

648 2.1

To become stuck when something hooks on another thing

is deliberate or designed like a net or trap rather than accidental

E

to entangle

vsto ensnarl

24 6.3

Involve someone in a difficult situation they cannot easily get out of

is more literal stressing physical catching as if in a net

S

to snare

vsto ensnarl

18 5.6

To catch something, often by using a trap or a trick

is about being caught as if in a net rather than using bait

E

to ensnare

vsto ensnarl

13 7.7

To trap someone or something, often by a trick when they are in a difficult situation

is framed as being caught like in a net rather than just tricked

E

to enmesh

vsto ensnarl

9 7.8

To catch something in a net or a difficult situation

is focused on being caught as if in a physical trap

E

to entrap

vsto ensnarl

8 7.2

To catch a person or animal by tricking them so they cannot escape

is imagery of being held in a netlike trap rather than only tricked

M

to mesh

vsto ensnarl

3 4.8

To catch something in a net or web

is broader implying being caught as if in a trap rather than only netting

E

to entangle around

vsto ensnarl

1 6.4

To twist something so it wraps around another thing and gets stuck

is about being held like in a net not only physical winding

H

to hitch

vsto ensnarl

1 3.5

To catch something so it becomes stuck briefly

implies being trapped as if by a net rather than a brief snag

S

to snaggle

vsto ensnarl

1 8.3

To catch on something rough and tear or become stuck

focuses on being held like in a trap not merely torn

E

to enchain

vsto ensnarl

• Archaic

1 9.5

To tie someone with chains or hold them under close control

is more about entanglement as if in a net rather than fixed binding

Antonyms

F

to free

337 1.0

To release someone or something that is held

U

to untangle

10 3.5

To separate threads or cords that are twisted together

How Tangled

to ensnarl

1 9.3

to snarl

6 7.1

to entangle

24 6.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology