ensnare

Ensnare is a verb meaning to catch or trap someone or something using a snare, or to cause someone to become trapped, entangled, or drawn into a difficult situation. The word derives from the noun snare, with the prefix en- indicating cause or containment; it has been used in English since the Middle Ages.

Physical snares are simple traps that use a loop of cord, wire, or cable set to close around an animal as it triggers a pressure- or motion-sensitive cue. Common forms include leg snares that constrain the leg, and neck snares that tighten around the neck. Snares can be effective for wildlife management or pest control because they operate without continuous human presence, but they can also cause unintended harm to non-target species and pose welfare concerns. Because of this, many jurisdictions regulate or prohibit certain snare types and require humane designs, regular checking, and avoidance of protected animals.

Figurative use: Ensnare is frequently used metaphorically to describe being trapped by a plan, scheme, or deceit. Phrases such as being ensnared in a web convey a sense of manipulation or inevitability. In literary and political contexts, the term emphasizes the agency of external traps rather than personal fault.

See also: entrapment, trap, entanglement, web.