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dragnet Definition

drag·net (drag′net′)

noun

  1. a net dragged along the bottom of a river, lake, etc. for catching fish
  2. a net for catching small game
  3. ☆ an organized system or network for gathering in or catching criminals or others wanted by the authorities

dragnet Synonyms

dragnet

n.

  1. A net

    trawl, seine, trammel; see drag 1, net.

  2. A system for apprehending criminals or suspects

    police sweep, network, all-points bulletin, APB, stakeout, roundup; see also arrest 1, hunt 2, trap 1.

dragnet Usage Examples

Converse of object

draw: The police campaign against it drew a dragnet through the UK anarchist community.

Modifies a noun

testing: Thurgood Marshall's cry of anguish about dragnet testing for drugs.

Noun used with modifier

  • DNA: The case concerns a 2002 DNA dragnet initiated by police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during a serial rape-murder investigation.
  • police: One attempt at calling a general strike was effectively suppressed by members of the SAW and ANC who had escaped the police dragnet.

Browse dictionary entries near dragnet

  1. ‹ dragline
  2. ‹ draggy
  3. ‹ draggle
  4. ‹ dragging
  5. ‹ dragger
  6. ‹ drag race
  7. ‹ drag queen
  8. ‹ drag one's feet
  9. ‹ drag on
  10. ‹ drag link
  1. dragoman ›
  2. dragon ›
  3. dragon bonds ›
  4. dragon's blood ›
  5. dragonet ›
  6. dragonfly ›
  7. dragonhead ›
  8. dragoon ›
  9. dragrope ›
  10. dragster ›