Approaches a cunning snare (5)
I believe the answer is:
nears
'approaches' is the definition.
('near' can be a synonym of 'approach')
'a cunning snare' is the wordplay.
'a cunning' indicates an anagram.
'snare' anagrammed gives 'NEARS'.
(Other definitions for nears that I've seen before include "Becomes closer" , "Saner (anag.)" , "Approaches - snare (anag)" , "Comes closer" , "Draws closer to" .)