What does entrapped mean?
Entrapped is the past tense and past participle of the verb entrap, meaning to catch someone or something in a trap — literally or figuratively. Its most common use is figurative: a person is entrapped when they are lured into wrongdoing or an undesirable situation by deception or manipulation, as when an undercover officer entraps a suspect into committing a crime. The word carries strongly negative connotations, implying not just capture but unfairness, coercion, or loss of freedom. In law, entrapment is a recognized defence: a defendant who was induced by authorities to break the law they would not otherwise have broken may avoid conviction. The word also appears in emotional and social contexts — people describe themselves as feeling entrapped in unhappy marriages, dead-end jobs, or restrictive circumstances, conveying a sense of helplessness with no easy escape. Derived forms include entrapment, the act or state of being entrapped.
verb (past tense and past participle of entrap)Past tense and past participle of entrap: to have caught or trapped someone or something, especially by deceptive or unfair means.
- Caught in a trap or confined physically.
- Lured or manipulated into wrongdoing, error, or an undesirable situation, especially through deception.
"The undercover agent entrapped the suspect into agreeing to the deal."
"The hikers were entrapped by rising floodwaters in the narrow canyon."
"Defence lawyers argued their client had been entrapped by an overzealous informant."
In law, an 'entrapment' defence can get a case thrown out entirely — if the police planted the idea, the crime may not count.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of entrapped
Entrap derives from the prefix en- (from French/Latin, meaning 'to cause to be in') combined with trap, a noun of Germanic origin referring to a device for catching animals. The verb entered English in the early 17th century, first meaning to catch physically in a snare or trap before extending figuratively to catching people through deceit. It belongs to a family of en- verbs formed on concrete nouns, such as encage, enchain, and ensnare.
Related word forms
How entrapped is actually used
Often carries negative connotations of unfairness or manipulation. In legal contexts, 'entrapped' specifically refers to being induced to commit a crime one would not otherwise have committed; figurative uses (e.g., feeling entrapped in a job or relationship) emphasize helplessness and lack of escape.
Easily confused with entrapped
Entrapped means caught or trapped, while entranced means filled with wonder or delight.