Entrapping

Entrapping refers to the act of catching or ensnaring someone or something, often by using trickery, deceit, or a carefully planned strategy. It implies a deliberate attempt to lure someone into a dangerous, compromising, or undesirable situation from which escape is difficult or impossible. The word suggests a loss of freedom, autonomy, or control, and often carries connotations of malice or manipulation. This can involve physical imprisonment, psychological coercion, or the setting of a trap, whether literal or figurative, to exploit a weakness, vulnerability, or unsuspecting nature of the target. Entrapping can occur through various means, including deception, false promises, hidden dangers, or carefully orchestrated scenarios. It suggests someone has fallen for such a scheme or that they have been caught out.

Entrapping meaning with examples

• The detective suspected the informant was setting him up, Entrapping him by providing false evidence. His intuition proved correct, revealing a complicated web of deceit where his trust was exploited. The informant's intention was to make sure he did not get out of the net he had been pulled into. It was obvious that a scheme of deception would result in charges that would derail his investigations.
• During the negotiation, the company strategically employed a misleading tactic to entrap its competitor. They offered what seemed like favorable terms, but hidden clauses secretly worked to place the company at a disadvantage. The intention was to lure the competitor into a contract that would ultimately result in significant financial losses. This approach aimed to secure a monopoly.
• The con artist used a series of flattering compliments and promises to entrap the elderly woman, convincing her to invest her life savings in a nonexistent scheme. He targeted her emotional vulnerability by taking advantage of her kindness and need for companionship, creating a situation where the victim was fully unaware of the trap she was being set up for.
• In the complex legal battle, the opposing counsel was trying to entrap the witness through cleverly worded questions, attempting to force him into making a damaging admission. Their line of questioning tried to identify weak points and use those to their advantage. This was a highly unethical strategy to discredit him and sway the jury's opinion.