snag

play

noun \ ˈsnag \

Definition of snag

1 a :a tree or branch embedded in a lake or stream bed and constituting a hazard to navigation

b :a standing dead tree

2 :a rough sharp or jagged projecting part :protuberance: such as

a :a projecting tooth; also :a stump of a tooth

b :one of the secondary branches of an antler

3 :a concealed or unexpected difficulty or obstacle

4 a :a jagged tear made by or as if by catching on a snag

b :an irregularity that suggests the result of tearing; especially :a pulled thread in fabric

a snag in her stocking

—

snaggy

play \ˈsna-gē\ adjective

See snag defined for English-language learners

See snag defined for kids

Examples of snag in a Sentence

I caught my sleeve on a snag and tore it.
My sweater has a snag where I caught it on a nail.

Recent Examples of snag from the Web

Sam McDowell: 816-234-4869, @SamMcDowell11 Related stories from The Kansas City Star The snag in Krisztian Nemeth’s return to MLS, Sporting KC Sporting KC trades Dom Dwyer to Orlando City SC Never miss a local story.

— sam mcdowell, kansascity, "Sporting KC winger Gerso Fernandes suspended for Saturday's match," 26 July 2017
Conflicting information was circulating for commuters who use the Anderson Ferry to avoid traffic snags during Brent Spence Bridge Bridge maintenance Friday.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Worried about the Anderson Ferry commute? Don't be," 21 July 2017
By July 2nd about half of the 120m ballot papers for the six sets of elections (including for governors of 47 counties and for women’s special representation) had been printed, though a last-minute snag has arisen.

— The Economist, "How to unrig an electionNew methods and technology can make elections fairer," 20 July 2017
Another snag: International free agent Jefferson Mendoza agreed to terms with the Sox.

— paul skrbina, chicagotribune.com, "White Sox catcher Kevan Smith has been a hit at the plate lately," 2 July 2017
The official opening occurred at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3, 1916, when the snag steamer the Swinomish, accompanied by the Orcas, traveled through the larger lock.

— jennifer ott, The Seattle Times, "Our Ship Canal has provided a century of connections," 28 June 2017
After customizing your pie with everything from pesto to prosciutto, snag a seat under the gnarled olive tree growing right in the center of the dining room.

— s.pellegrino, Bon Appetit, "Ludo Lefebvre’s Edible Guide to The Valley," 26 June 2017
Get there early enough to place a bet on the color of Her Majesty’s hat and snag a park bench on the shaded lawn in front of the grandstand to watch the parade of fashion.

— steven stolman, Town & Country, "How to Get into the Royal Enclosure at Ascot," 23 June 2017
A similar travel snag happened last June, when he was cut from the U18 national team.

— fletcher page, The Courier-Journal, "Mitchell Robinson ready for 'special things at Western Kentucky'," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'snag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of snag

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse snagi clothes peg

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1587

See Words from the same year

snag Synonyms

Synonyms

booby trap, catch, catch-22, gimmick, gotcha, hitch, joker, land mine, pitfall

Related Words

snare, trap, trip wire, web; hazard, peril, risk; bomb, bombshell, kicker, surprise (also surprize); bait, decoy, lure

snag

verb

Definition of snag

snagged; snagging

transitive verb

1 a :to catch and usually damage on or as if on a snag

b :to halt or impede as if by catching on a snag

2 :to hew, trim, or cut roughly or jaggedly

3 :to clear (something, such as a river) of snags

4 :to catch or obtain usually by quick action or good fortune

See snag defined for English-language learners

Examples of snag in a Sentence

I snagged my favorite sweater on a nail.
The shortstop snagged the grounder.
The police snagged the suspect as he was trying to run away.
I managed to snag the information I needed from the Internet.
Can I snag a ride from you?

Recent Examples of snag from the Web

When a foul ball landed in the seats along the left-field line during Monday night's game against the Twins, Baker was the first fan to snag it, reaching down to pluck it from under the seats.

— joe knowles, chicagotribune.com, "White Sox reward fan who had foul ball stolen from him," 25 Aug. 2017
Pairs of attractive females almost always snagged a mate.

— elizabeth pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Sexy females help ‘Plain Jane’ moths snag their mates," 25 Aug. 2017
Mahomes attempted the same throw down the seam that was nearly intercepted by McQuay earlier in the day, this time with worse results, as McQuay snagged it this time and returned it upfield.

— josh tolentino, kansascity, "Chiefs’ defensive backs stingy in sixth full-squad practice," 3 Aug. 2017
At Oriental Air Bridge, snagging a pilot of any age from a big international airline is a coup.

— jonathan soble, New York Times, "The Pilot in the Cockpit? In Japan, He Might Be a Retiree," 28 July 2017
And there was Christie, clad in a blue button-down shirt, snagging the ball with his left hand.

— esquire editors, Esquire, "Chris Christie Catches Foul Ball, Gets Booed Mercilessly," 19 July 2017
Brewers right fielder Domingo Santana saved a potential game-tying hit off the bat of Gary Sanchez in the seventh, lunging while on the run to snag a hard liner.

— scott orgera, courant.com, "Shaw, Vogt Homer, NL Central-leading Brewers Beat Yanks 5-3," 9 July 2017
Snag a snack during a detour While avoiding the interstate altogether might avoid major snares, traffic on side routes will be congested with people who had the same idea.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "The ultimate guide to living life through 2 months of Brent Spence Bridge repairs," 1 July 2017
Snag a table right next to the water for the idyllic view and watch lobsters caught right in front of you.

— hayley bloomingdale, Vogue, "The Best Way to See Mykonos? Eat and Drink Everything in Sight.," 21 June 2017

First Known Use of snag

1807

snag Synonyms

Synonyms

bag, capture, collar, cop [slang], corral, get, glom, grab, grapple, hook, land, nab, nail, net, nobble [British slang], rap, seize, catch, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap

Antonyms

miss

Related Words

glove, halter, lasso, rope; apprehend, arrest, detain; bay, corner; clasp, clutch, fasten (on), fist, grasp, grip, hold, latch (on or onto), secure; rend, wrest; enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entangle, entrap, mesh; abduct, kidnap, spirit (away or off)

Near Antonyms

discharge, free, liberate, release; drop, loosen, unhand

SNAG Defined for English Language Learners

snag

play

noun

Definition of snag for English Language Learners

: an unexpected problem or difficulty
: a sharp or broken part of something that sticks out from a smooth surface
: a thread that sticks out from a piece of cloth

snag

verb

Definition of snag for English Language Learners

: to catch and tear (something) on something sharp
: to catch, capture, or get (something or someone) by quick action or good luck

SNAG Defined for Kids

snag

play

noun \ ˈsnag \

Definition of snag for Students

1 :a rough or broken part sticking out from something

2 :an unexpected difficulty

Our plan hit a snag.

3 :a stump or stub of a tree branch especially when hidden under water

snag

verb

Definition of snag for Students

snagged; snagging

1 :to catch or damage on or as if on a part sticking up or out

He snagged his sleeve on a nail.

2 :to catch or capture by or as if by reaching out quickly and grabbing I was snagged by the teacher on my way out.

Learn More about snag

See words that rhyme with snag Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for snag Spanish Central: Translation of snag Nglish: Translation of snag for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of snag for Arabic speakers

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snaggy

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snag

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