snare 1 of 2

noun

ˈsner How to pronounce snare (audio)
Definition of snarenext
1
as in trap
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise you fell for my clever snare, you fool!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in tangle
something that catches and holds someday you'll find that your lies are a snare from which you can't escape

Synonyms & Similar Words

snare

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to trap
to catch or hold as if in a net easily distracted by any bright object that snared his eye

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly campers trying to snare brook trout for supper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb snare contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of snare are bag, capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," trap, snare, entrap, ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals
snared butterflies with a net

When is bag a more appropriate choice than snare?

In some situations, the words bag and snare are roughly equivalent. However, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is it sensible to use capture instead of snare?

Although the words capture and snare have much in common, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When would catch be a good substitute for snare?

The synonyms catch and snare are sometimes interchangeable, but catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How are the words entrap and ensnare related as synonyms of snare?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question
a sting operation that ensnared burglars

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of snare
Noun
Immediately, the divine collides with the inane, and Goddess runs into a fundamental dramatic snare. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 May 2025 For instance, the researchers uncovered an incident from 2008, when scientists had observed a male chimp freeing an unrelated female from a nylon snare set by hunters to trap game. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025
Verb
One of the challenges TelevisaUnivision faced this period was the absence of last year’s Spanish-language Super Bowl broadcast, which helped snare new advertising and viewership. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025 One night, during a common raid by the beasts, Hiccup snares a Night Fury, a swift and cunning dragon that the Berkians know little about. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for snare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snare
  1. trap
  2. tangle
  3. grab
  4. ambush
  5. noose
  6. catch
  7. web
  8. snatch
Noun
  • Luthor — with the backing of the U.S. government — traps both aliens and political opponents in an off-site prison, located in a pocket dimension.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 11 July 2025
  • Affluent families sometimes fall into the trap of overprotecting their kids, removing all struggle in the name of love.
    — Anatoly Iofe, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of trap
Noun
  • In my experience, most sea salt sprays require some sort of trade-off: either tons of volume but tangles, or great wave definition but very little body.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 26 June 2025
  • One of the most aggressive garden invaders, bindweed rapidly rambles through perennials and shrubs, creating a leafy tangle of stems and foliage.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2025
Definition of tangle
Verb
  • Order fish tacos or fresh salads at Bad Boy Burrito; grab at coffee at Cafe Moka; shop for clothing and gifts at Miss Monroe Boutique; and browse the open-air stalls at boo kee sue Botanics for handmade textiles, ceramics, and more.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
  • Right after that treatment, Djokovic grabbed a 3-0 lead in the third set and was a point from going up 4-0.
    — Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Definition of grab
Noun
  • Waiting in ambush uses power, and the drone’s battery will have been running down.
    — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • Authorities also confirmed the identity of the suspect in the firefighter ambush.
    — Jade Walker, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
Definition of ambush
Noun
  • New evidence revealed a noose was used to swing Zara around According to court documents, detectives found new evidence of abuse on a phone belonging to Lopez-Figueroa.
    — Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
  • After the trial and sentencings, a noose of grief tightened around the DuFresne family.
    — Mary Jane Gibson, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2025
Definition of noose
Verb
  • So just mainly be ready to catch and shoot whenever.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025
  • The outsoles are made with reliable rubber treads to provide vital traction on slick city streets and beyond, and the sleek leather exteriors will remain in pristine shape even if you get caught in an unexpected rainstorm.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2025
Definition of catch
Noun
  • Beyond talent, Microsoft and Google clashed directly in web technologies.
    — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Judge then turned a Dansby Swanson line drive into another web gem on the next play.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Definition of web
Verb
  • As the old adage goes, the early bird gets the worm—the same can be applied to snatching up the best Prime Day beauty deals!
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 July 2025
  • While Kakao was ultimately successful, snatching a 35% stake in SM for 1.3 trillion won in March 2023, prosecutors alleged that Kim, long-hailed as an internet pioneer, had manipulated SM’s stock price to ward off Hybe.
    — John Kang, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Definition of snatch

Browse Nearby Words

snap (up)
snare
snared
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snare. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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