Dragnet ( noun , verb )

(As a noun)

Dragnet ( noun )

1. A large net dragged along the bottom of a body of water to capture fish or other aquatic animals.
2. A wide-reaching and often indiscriminate search or investigation, often conducted by law enforcement.

Origin:

Middle english draggenet, from draggen (to drag) + net.

Examples:

1. The fisherman cast his dragnet into the lake and soon began to pull it in, filled with fish.
2. The police conducted a dragnet operation in the city, searching for the fugitive suspected of robbery.
3. The company's new hiring policies are a dragnet to catch the best candidates.
4. The government"s surveillance programs have been criticized as a dragnet that violates citizens" privacy.
5. The dragnet was cast wide to catch any and all suspects in the case.

(As a verb)

Dragnet ( verb )

1. A large net dragged along the bottom of a body of water to capture fish or other aquatic animals.
2. A wide-reaching and often indiscriminate search or investigation, often conducted by law enforcement.

Origin:

Middle english draggenet, from draggen (to drag) + net.

Examples:

1. The fisherman cast his dragnet into the lake and soon began to pull it in, filled with fish.
2. The police conducted a dragnet operation in the city, searching for the fugitive suspected of robbery.
3. The company's new hiring policies are a dragnet to catch the best candidates.
4. The government"s surveillance programs have been criticized as a dragnet that violates citizens" privacy.
5. The dragnet was cast wide to catch any and all suspects in the case.