Meaning & use
honeytrapping
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Meanings
noununcountable
The practice of using a romantic or sexual relationship to trick someone into giving away secrets or information.
Grammar: Uncountable, so it takes a singular verb and no article: honeytrapping is common in spy cases.
Patterns
- honeytrapping of someone
- be accused of honeytrapping
- use honeytrapping against someone
The newspaper claimed that honeytrapping had been used to obtain details of the trade deal.
Officials denied that honeytrapping played any part in the arrest.
He said he had been the victim of honeytrapping while working abroad.
noununcountableinformal
The act of luring a person into a sexual relationship and then using photos or recordings to demand money.
Grammar: Also uncountable; the person carrying it out is called a honeytrapper.
Patterns
- fall victim to honeytrapping
- be a victim of honeytrapping
Police warned that honeytrapping is on the rise, with victims contacted through dating apps.
The gang made millions from honeytrapping before they were caught.
Common combinations
- be accused of honeytrapping
- The minister was accused of honeytrapping after a private meeting was filmed.
- be a victim of honeytrapping
- He says he was a victim of honeytrapping and lost thousands of dollars.
- resort to honeytrapping
- Some intelligence agencies resort to honeytrapping when ordinary methods fail.
- a honeytrapping operation
- The security service ran a honeytrapping operation against foreign diplomats.
- allegations of honeytrapping
- Allegations of honeytrapping dominated the front pages for a week.
Synonyms and how they differ
- entrapment
- A legal term for tricking someone into committing an offense; it is broader and does not involve sex.
- seduction
- Simply the act of persuading someone into a sexual relationship, with no suggestion of trickery for gain.
- blackmail
- Focuses on the demand for money or favors, while honeytrapping names the method of setting the trap.
Word family
- honeytrap noun
- The scheme itself, or the person used to carry it out.
- honeytrap verb
- To catch someone by using a romantic or sexual relationship.
- honeytrapper noun
- The person who carries out a honeytrap.
Commonly confused: honeytrapping or honeymoon?
honeytrapping vs honeymoon
A honeymoon is a holiday taken by a newly married couple, and has nothing to do with deception.
Practice
Which sentence uses "honeytrapping" correctly?
Choose one answer.
"Honeytrapping" names the act of using a romantic or sexual relationship to trap someone, so it fits the spy context. Option 2 confuses it with "honeymooning," option 3 treats it as a benefit, and option 4 uses the wrong form for a past-tense verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “honeytrapping”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.