dragnet
2 synonyms for dragnet, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large net dragged along a riverbed or seabed to catch fish or find objects.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
trawl
trawl net
How to use dragnet
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
police dragnet
cast a dragnet
Etymology
From drag + net, echoing the Old English draegnet.
Full origin of dragnet →Frequently asked questions
What does “dragnet” mean?
The word “dragnet” means a large net dragged along a riverbed or seabed to catch fish or find objects. In plain terms, a wide, thorough search — literally a fishing net, or figuratively a police manhunt.
How do you pronounce “dragnet”?
“Dragnet” is pronounced DRAG-neht (/ˈdɹæɡˌnɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dragnet” in a sentence?
Here is “dragnet” used in a sentence: “Fishermen used a dragnet to haul in the catch.”
What part of speech is “dragnet”?
“Dragnet” is a noun.
Where does the word “dragnet” come from?
The word “dragnet” comes from Old English. From drag + net, echoing the Old English draegnet.
How many meanings does “dragnet” have?
“Dragnet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large net dragged along a riverbed or seabed to catch fish or find objects.
