ensnare
UK: ɪnˈsneə | US: ɪnˈsner
vt. to catch or trap someone or something, often by deceit or clever means
vt. to involve someone in a difficult or compromising situation
The word "ensnare" emerged in Middle English by combining the prefix "en-" (to cause) with "snare" (trap). It vividly depicts the act of luring or trapping, originally in a literal sense (e.g., hunting) and later metaphorically (e.g., deception). The logic mirrors physical trapping—using a "snare" to restrict freedom, extended to abstract contexts like manipulation.
The spider ensnared the fly in its delicate web.
He was ensnared by her clever lies and false promises.
The legal loophole ensnared many unsuspecting investors.
Hunters once used pits to ensnare wild animals.
The scandal ensnared several high-profile politicians.