snare

1 of 2

noun

1
a(1)
: a contrivance often consisting of a noose for entangling birds or mammals
b(1)
: something by which one is entangled, involved in difficulties, or impeded
(2)
: something deceptively attractive
2
[probably from Dutch snaar, literally, cord; akin to Old High German snuor]
a
: one of the catgut strings or metal spirals of a snare drum
3
: a surgical instrument consisting usually of a wire loop constricted by a mechanism in the handle and used for removing tissue masses (such as tonsils)

snare

2 of 2

verb

snared; snaring

transitive verb

1
a
: to capture by or as if by use of a snare
b
: to win or attain by artful or skillful maneuvers
2
: to entangle or hold as if in a snare
any object that snared his eyeCurrent Biography
snarer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for snare

catch, capture, trap, snare, entrap, ensnare, bag mean to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing.

catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

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

entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

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

bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

Examples of snare in a Sentence

Noun people caught in the snare of drug addiction you fell for my clever snare, you fool! Verb They caught fish and snared seabirds. Unfortunately, the nets also snare turtles. They snared first place in the contest. trying to snare business from competitors The shortstop snared a high throw from the outfield.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Murphy’s silken melodies coast under Graham Sayle’s coarse dispatches, while a skittering snare beat propels everything forward. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024 Crabbers may not use trap gear, according to the state order; only hoop nets and crab snares will be allowed until further assessment. Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
After spending billions to snare control of the massive media portfolio known as NBCUniversal, parent company Comcast now plans to break it up. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024 Local lenders also see a benefit to establishing a relationship that could snare more business from the player, such as in wealth management. Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for snare 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English sneare, probably from Old Norse snara; akin to Old High German snuor cord and perhaps to Greek narkē numbness

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of snare was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near snare

Cite this Entry

“Snare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snare. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

snare

1 of 2 noun
ˈsna(ə)r How to pronounce snare (audio)
ˈsne(ə)r
1
a
: a trap often consisting of a noose for catching small animals or birds
b
: something by which one is entangled, trapped, or deceived
2
: one of the catgut strings or metal spirals stretched across the bottom of a snare drum

snare

2 of 2 verb
snared; snaring
1
: to capture or entangle by or as if by use of a snare
2
: to win by skillful or deceptive measures
snarer noun

Medical Definition

: a surgical instrument consisting usually of a wire loop constricted by a mechanism in the handle and used for removing tissue masses (as tonsils or polyps)

More from Merriam-Webster on snare

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