Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

box in

VERB
ambush
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assault surround trap waylay
STRONG
ambuscade assail bushwhack decoy ensnare entrap hide hook jump lurk net surprise wait
WEAK
dry-gulch hem in lay for set trap
VERB
curb
Synonyms
STRONGEST
constrain contain control hamper hinder impede inhibit restrain suppress tame
STRONG
abstain bit bridle check deny fetter hobble hog-tie hold down ice leash manacle moderate muzzle refrain retard scrub shackle subdue tie withhold
WEAK
bottle up bring to screeching halt cool down cool off entrammel hold back hold in keep lid on keep tight rein on rein in send up tie up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward free help let go permit promote release
STRONG
go ahead incite indulge liberate loose loosen
WEAK
foster
VERB
enmesh
Synonyms
STRONGEST
embroil ensnare entangle entrap implicate snare
STRONG
catch hook incriminate net snarl tangle trammel trap
WEAK
drag into draw in lay a trap for lay for make party to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disentangle exclude free let go liberate release
STRONG
uncomplicate
WEAK
leave out
VERB
entrap
Synonyms
STRONGEST
enmesh ensnare entangle entice implicate seduce
STRONG
allure bag beguile catch decoy embroil hook inveigle lure net snare tempt trap trick
WEAK
benet lay for lead on reel in rope in set up suck in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
exclude
STRONG
discourage disenchant disgust dissuade free let go lose release repulse
WEAK
clear disentangle liberate
VERB
hinder
Synonyms
STRONGEST
block burden crimp curb delay deter frustrate hamper hamstring hold up impede inhibit interfere interrupt obstruct preclude prevent prohibit retard slow down thwart
STRONG
arrest balk bar bottleneck check choke clog contravene counteract crab cramp debar encumber fetter hog-tie muzzle neutralize offset oppose resist snafu stay stop stymie terminate trammel
WEAK
get in the way hold back louse up shut out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid allow assist enable encourage expedite facilitate forward further help permit promote push support
STRONG
approve begin free go let go liberate loosen open release start unblock
VERB
prohibit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ban block constrain enjoin forbid freeze halt hinder impede inhibit outlaw preclude prevent proscribe restrain restrict rule out
STRONG
cool cork debar disallow forfend hamper interdict kill nix obstruct spike stymie taboo veto
WEAK
bottle up bring to screeching halt gridlock hang up hold up jam up keep lid on lock up pass on put a lock on put a stopper in put chill on put down put half nelson on shut out throw cold water on tie up zing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid allow approve assist continue facilitate forward free help include let go permit push release support
STRONG
encourage promote
WEAK
favor
VERB
surround
Synonyms
STRONGEST
besiege circle envelop hem in inundate ring
STRONG
beleaguer beset blockade border bound circumscribe circumvent compass confine edge enclave encompass environ fringe gird girdle invest limit loop margin outline rim round skirt verge
WEAK
close around close in close in on fence in go around lay siege to shut in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
free
STRONG
allow center let go lose permit release
VERB
trap
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambush
STRONG
ambuscade beguile circumvent collar corner corral deceive decoy dupe enmesh ensnare entangle entrap fool grab hook inveigle land mousetrap nab nail net overtake seduce snag surprise take tangle trammel
WEAK
rope in suck in trip up
Antonyms
STRONG
aid assist disenchant disentangle free help let go liberate lose release untangle untwist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Golden Knights, who killed four penalties in Game 1, saw three players go to the box in the first 5½ minutes, giving the Ducks a man advantage for eight consecutive minutes.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

He is widely seen as one of the only politicians capable of defeating Erdogan at the ballot box in elections due before mid-2028.

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026

They have opened Pandora’s box in the Middle East.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026

Last month, Reform secured its first success at the ballot box in Scotland by winning a council by-election in West Lothian.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

“Maybe it’s in that box in my closet. I put stuff there that your dad gave me. I forgot about the poem, though, till just now.”

From "The Skin I'm In" by Sharon G. Flake