snag

noun \ ˈsnag \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Examples: snag in a Sentence

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

Meanwhile, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles pickup sales lagged in the first half of the year due, in part, to a production snag on the new Ram 1500, the report said.

— jamie l. lareau, Detroit Free Press, "General Motors topping Ford in pickup market share," 12 July 2018
But Kavanaugh’s tenure in George W. Bush’s White House as staff secretary — a senior position that controls documents moving across the president’s desk — has emerged as a last-minute snag.

— robert costa, Washington Post, "Trump weighs top picks for Supreme Court amid last-minute maneuvering," 9 July 2018
If that description tickles your fancy in any way, go snag Shadowrun Returns for free right now.

— brad chacos, PCWorld, "The Humble Store is giving cyberpunk RPG Shadowrun Returns away for free," 22 June 2018
While the show did snag two female veterans for its team—April Fitzsimmons and Shamar S. White—originally, the CW had a former SEAL in mind to act as the show's technical advisor.

— nathan mattise, Ars Technica, "Today’s veterans are gradually returning to a new civilian-life op—Hollywood," 17 June 2018
Even assuming Kim agreed to Pompeo's stated demands this week, the process itself would likely be long, technically complicated and filled with potential snags.

— NBC News, "North Korea's many nuclear weapons and how to rid the world of them," 11 June 2018
There’s a snag though: Smart contracts are software applications, and software applications have bugs.

— robert hackett, Fortune, "Cyber Saturday—As Blockchain Week Kicks Off, Remember The DAO," 12 May 2018
But, that's the point: The exact qualities that turn off Lars in Oslo are what snags Kim.

— greg gutfeld, Fox News, "Gutfeld on Trump's Nobel prize nomination," 4 May 2018
The start of the EOS currency was recently plagued by delays and technical snags.

— New York Times, "The People Leading the Blockchain Revolution," 27 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

snag Synonyms

Synonyms

booby trap, catch, gimmick, hitch, joker, 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

Flights often cost $800 to $1,200 round-trip, though some Cuban shoppers snag bargains under $700.

— doreen hemlock, miamiherald, "Cubans are flocking to Guyana for economic reasons — but there's a twist," 28 June 2018
Traditional supermarkets face increased competition from all sides, Specialty stores, such as those selling natural and organic foods, draw niche shoppers, while online grocers snag the tech-minded or convenience-focused.

— zlati meyer, USA TODAY, "Kroger to test grocery delivery using driverless vehicles," 28 June 2018
Stock up for the whole family and also snag $4 tank tops, $4 shirts and $8 shorts, too during the chain’s summer sale.

— doreen christensen, Sun-Sentinel.com, "$1 flip flops at Old Navy on Saturday," 22 June 2018
Nearly two dozen people have been ensnared in the ongoing pay-to-play probe, which spread into Detroit and snagged towing titan Gasper Fiore, who admitted to paying bribes to win towing contracts.

— christina hall, Detroit Free Press, "'Shakedown artist' Dean Reynolds guilty in Macomb corruption probe," 21 June 2018
As well as the Bucks may have drafted in recent years — including snagging rookie of the year Malcolm Brogdon in the second round in 2016 — Milwaukee needs a hit this year.

— matt velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The NBA draft has been a mixed bag for the Bucks. They need to pull out a winner Thursday.," 20 June 2018
For the next two weeks, shoppers will have the ability to stop by and snag a piece of Hollywood glamour—for a bit—before returning it (or purchasing later on).

— Vogue, "Micaela Erlanger Brings Her Fashionable Eye to London With Armarium," 19 June 2018
Hanover’s Factory Pond is closed to the public indefinitely after a fisherman snagged his line on an object last week that turned out to be an explosive device, an official said.

— laney ruckstuhl, BostonGlobe.com, "Hanover pond shut down indefinitely after inactive explosive discovered," 19 June 2018
The box should have helped investigators snag a drug trafficker.

— beth warren, The Courier-Journal, "How a McDonald's receipt crippled an elite Louisville drug-fighting team," 18 June 2018

First Known Use of snag

1807

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

snag Synonyms

Phrases

take hold (of);

SNAG Defined for English Language Learners

snag

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

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up snag? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

snag

Definition of snag

snaggy

Examples of snag in a Sentence

Recent Examples of snag from the Web

Origin and Etymology of snag

snag Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

snag

Definition of snag

Examples of snag in a Sentence

Recent Examples of snag from the Web

First Known Use of snag

snag Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

Phrases Related to SNAG

Related Phrases

SNAG Defined for English Language Learners

snag

Definition of snag for English Language Learners

snag

Definition of snag for English Language Learners

SNAG Defined for Kids

snag

Definition of snag for Students

snag

Definition of snag for Students

Learn More about snag

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 7/13

Obscure Shapes

Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Trending: Ocasio-Cortez Sparks 'Socialism' Lookups

Ghost Word