enˈtrapment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Legal
Quick answer
What does “enˈtrapment” mean?
The act of tricking someone into committing a crime in order to prosecute them, or the state of being caught in a trap.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of tricking someone into committing a crime in order to prosecute them, or the state of being caught in a trap.
In a broader sense, any situation where one is lured or deceived into a difficult or inescapable position, often through cunning or manipulation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Predominantly a legal term in both variants; slightly more common in American media due to high-profile police procedure debates. The spelling is identical.
Connotations
Strongly associated with police misconduct and legal defence strategies. In non-legal contexts, implies a deliberate, unfair snare.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to its prominence in U.S. criminal law and popular legal dramas.
Grammar
How to Use “enˈtrapment” in a Sentence
entrapment of [person/group]entrapment by [authority/agent]entrapment in [situation/crime]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enˈtrapment” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The officers were accused of attempting to entrap vulnerable individuals.
- The scheme was designed to entrap unsuspecting tourists.
American English
- The defense argued the FBI agent entrapped their client.
- Sting operations must not entrap people who aren't predisposed to commit the crime.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb. The concept is expressed via verb/adjective forms.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb. The concept is expressed via verb/adjective forms.
adjective
British English
- The entrapment defence was rejected by the Crown Court.
- They discussed entrapment scenarios in the ethics seminar.
American English
- The entrapment defense was a key part of the trial.
- He filed an entrapment motion based on the undercover officer's conduct.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, but can be used metaphorically: 'The contract's fine print was a form of legal entrapment.'
Academic
Used in legal, criminology, and ethics papers discussing police procedures and justice.
Everyday
Used metaphorically to describe feeling tricked or trapped: 'His constant demands created a sense of emotional entrapment.'
Technical
A specific legal doctrine where a defendant argues they were induced by state agents to commit a crime they would not otherwise have committed.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “enˈtrapment”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “enˈtrapment”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enˈtrapment”
- Misspelling as 'intrapment'.
- Using it to mean simple arrest or capture without the element of deception.
- Confusing with 'entanglement'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in legal systems like those in the UK and US, entrapment is generally an illegal law enforcement practice and can be a valid defence against criminal charges if proven.
A sting operation provides an opportunity for a person predisposed to commit a crime to do so. Entrapment occurs when law enforcement induces a person to commit a crime they had no prior intent to commit.
Yes, it is commonly used metaphorically to describe any situation where one feels deliberately tricked or manipulated into a bad position, e.g., 'emotional entrapment'.
The verb is 'to entrap'. It means to catch or snare, especially by trickery or deception.
The act of tricking someone into committing a crime in order to prosecute them, or the state of being caught in a trap.
Enˈtrapment is usually formal/legal in register.
Enˈtrapment: in British English it is pronounced /ɪnˈtræpmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɪnˈtræpmənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It was a clear case of entrapment.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'trap' in the middle of the word. EN-TRAP-MENT: the act of being put INTO a TRAP.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE IS A FAIR GAME / entrapment is CHEATING IN THAT GAME.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'entrapment' most precisely and correctly used?