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dragnet Meaning & Definition

/ˈdɹæɡˌnɛt/

What Does Dragnet Mean?

As a noun, dragnet means A net dragged across the bottom of a body of water. It is also used to mean A heightened effort by law enforcement personnel undertaken in order to capture suspects. As a verb, it means To drag a net across the bottom of a body of water.

Dragnet at a Glance

Part of speechnoun, verb
Pronunciation/ˈdɹæɡˌnɛt/
Synonymstrawl and trawl net
Pluraldragnets
Verb formsdragnets, dragnetting, dragnetted

Dragnet Definition (Noun)

  1. A net dragged across the bottom of a body of water.
  2. A heightened effort by law enforcement personnel undertaken in order to capture suspects.

Dragnet as a Verb

  1. To drag a net across the bottom of a body of water.
  2. To undertake a heightened effort to catch a suspect.

Synonyms of Dragnet

Dragnet synonyms and antonyms →

Word Forms & Grammar

dragnet (plural dragnets)

dragnet (third-person singular simple present dragnets, present participle dragnetting, simple past and past participle dragnetted)

Words That Rhyme With Dragnet

Origin of Dragnet

From drag +‎ net, probably based on the model of Middle English draynet, dreynett (“dragnet”), Old English dræġnet, dræġnett (“dragnet”), equivalent to dray +‎ net. Cognate with Swedish dragnät, Norwegian dragnett, from Icelandic dragnet.

Quick Answers About Dragnet

Is dragnet a noun or a verb?

Dragnet is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is another word for dragnet?

Close synonyms of dragnet are trawl and trawl net. See the full list of dragnet synonyms and antonyms.

What is the plural of dragnet?

The plural of dragnet is dragnets.

What is the past tense of dragnet?

The past tense of dragnet is dragnetted. The present participle is dragnetting.

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