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
Noun
Moreover, when an elephant gets stuck in mud or snare, herd members will try to pull them free. Hazra Khatoon, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 Under the inventive direction of Keenan Tyler Oliphant, Christian and Co. move in fluid and shifting circles beneath a crisscrossing net of ropes (designed by Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin) that evokes both the interconnectedness of all things and the snares of living in the world. Adam Green, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2024 The opening 30 seconds of the four-minute track pulse with chanting, the crackle of snares, the thump of bass drums and the thick roar of horns. Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023 In Arkansas, noodling entails using a snare device or a breakaway pole to catch catfish. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 15 Nov. 2023 But the discovery of a dead zebra in a snare trap in 2021 would change the dynamic and provide a dark preview of what was yet to come: another dead zebra, a police raid, a prolonged search, a mysterious capture and three misdemeanor animal cruelty charges against Holly for the escape. Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 Steve Jordan did not play one hi-hat and snare at the same time ever. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2023 Both the Israelis and the Palestinians are now locked in a snare of Hamas’s creation: a traumatic embrace of death and despair in which each side—understandably seeing itself as a victim, feeling righteous rage, and desiring retribution—is vying for global sympathy. Jessica Stern, Foreign Affairs, 7 Dec. 2023 Over skittering snares, Doeboy balances a carefully ambivalent main vocal, with ad-libs that add flashes of character dynamism, for a rap performance that captures every emotional shade of the taunting process. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2023
Verb
Back-breaker – except Davis, who stampeded around the paint like a baby elephant during a 16-rebound night, snared a board and kicked to Forbes for a 3-pointer to tie. Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 9 Mar. 2024 Impostor scams, such as the type that snared Cowles, saw losses of nearly $2.7 billion. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 The broadcast-only programs typically snare between 2 million and 3 million viewers each week. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 Estrada snared the rebound after Griffen's missed 3. John Zenor, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 But the sophistication of today’s schemes can snare even the most cynical among us. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Phoenix outpaced Miami by scoring 13-4 in fast break points, snared an impressive 13 steals, and scored 19 points off the Heat's 16 turnovers. Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 5 Jan. 2024 The Monday hour anchored by Chris Hayes in 2022 snared approximately $4.6 million, in 2022, a figure that jumped 21% in 2023 to $5.6 million for an hour that has been anchored by Psaki since late September (Psaki also anchors a show middays on Sunday).. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 12 Feb. 2024 Last week, Pentagon officials came empty-handed to a monthly 50-nation coordinating meeting for Ukraine, with future U.S. money for arms and aid snared by domestic politics. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'snare.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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)

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