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snarl

verb (1)
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\ ˈsnär(-ə)l How to pronounce snarl (audio) \
snarled; snarling; snarls

Definition of snarl

 (Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to cause to become knotted and intertwined : tangle
2 : to make excessively complicated

intransitive verb

: to become snarled

snarl

noun (1)

Definition of snarl (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a tangle especially of hairs or thread : knot
2 : a tangled situation traffic snarls

snarl

verb (2)
snarled; snarling; snarls

Definition of snarl (Entry 3 of 4)

intransitive verb

1 : to growl with a snapping, gnashing, or display of teeth
2 : to give vent to anger in surly language

transitive verb

: to utter or express with a snarl or by snarling

snarl

noun (2)

Definition of snarl (Entry 4 of 4)

: a surly angry growl

Other Words from snarl

Noun (2)

snarly \ ˈsnär-​lē How to pronounce snarly (audio) \ adjective

First Known Use of snarl

Verb (1)

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

Noun (1)

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1589, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1613, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for snarl

Verb (1)

Middle English, to trap, entangle, probably frequentative of snaren to snare

Noun (1)

Middle English snarle snare, noose, probably from snarlen, verb

Verb (2)

frequentative of obsolete English snar to growl; akin to Middle Low German snorren to drone, rattle

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Time Traveler for snarl

Time Traveler

The first known use of snarl was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Snarl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snarl. Accessed 12 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for snarl

snarl

verb
\ ˈsnärl How to pronounce snarl (audio) \
snarled; snarling

Kids Definition of snarl

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1 : to growl with a showing of teeth The dog snarled at the stranger.
2 : to speak in an angry way

snarl

noun

Kids Definition of snarl (Entry 2 of 4)

: an angry growl

snarl

noun

Kids Definition of snarl (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : a tangle usually of hairs or thread : knot She's combing out the snarls.
2 : a situation that makes movement difficult a traffic snarl

snarl

verb
snarled; snarling

Kids Definition of snarl (Entry 4 of 4)

: to get or become tangled

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More from Merriam-Webster on snarl

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for snarl

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with snarl

Spanish Central: Translation of snarl

Nglish: Translation of snarl for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of snarl for Arabic Speakers

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