How do you use the word "entrapment" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "entrapment": The entrapment of wild animals is illegal. The hikers feared entrapment in the cave.

Entrapment Meaning

/ɪnˈtɹæpmənt/

Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounThe state of being entrapped.

nounAction by law enforcement personnel to lead an otherwise innocent person to commit a crime, in order to arrest and prosecute that person for the crime.

Sentence Examples

The entrapment of wild animals is illegal.

The hikers feared entrapment in the cave.

The lawyer argued that the police used entrapment to catch him.

CEFR Practice Quiz

The police were accused of unlawful ____ during the sting operation.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

The defense lawyer argued that the police used ____ to catch his client.

Word Origin & History

Etymology tree English entrap Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥tom Proto-Italic *-mentom Latin -mentum Old French -mentbor. Middle English -ment English -ment English entrapment From entrap + -ment.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Bowen talked of the entrapment of parenting, the anxiety that makes some women feel they are never free again: "We're forever waiting for the other shoe to drop, all the while trying to have a life."" — 1988 February 14, Louise Rice, “Confronting The Mythology Of Motherhood”, in Gay Community News, volume 15, number 30, page 7:

"Entrapments in lifts were also on the increase, with an 18% increase across the most recent reporting period (2024-2025)." — 2025 July 23, “Network News: Satisfaction levels with assisted travel unchanged... but lift failures increase”, in RAIL, number 1040, page 12:

"That’s right, Thailand actually has a buffoonish crown prince. And I understand why the Thai people are upset, because they have a law where you can get 15 years in jail for insulting the monarchy, and yet, they have a prince who featured in, and this is true, a video of a birthday party he threw for his dog, a miniature poodle called Foo Foo, in which his topless wife served the dog birthday cake. And you’re telling me they’re not supposed to make fun of that? That’s entrapment! That’s not fair! You asked too much!" — 2014, Tim Carvell [et al.], “Dr. Oz and Nutritional Supplements”, in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, season 1, episode 8, John Oliver (actor), Warner Bros. Television, via HBO:

Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words