snipe

1 of 2

noun

plural snipes
1
or plural snipe : any of various usually slender-billed birds of the sandpiper family
especially : any of several game birds (especially genus Gallinago) especially of marshy areas
2
: a contemptible person

snipe

2 of 2

verb

sniped; sniping

intransitive verb

1
: to shoot at exposed individuals (as of an enemy's forces) from a usually concealed point of vantage
2
: to aim a carping or snide attack
sniper noun

Examples of snipe in a Sentence

Verb Enemy fighters sniped at them from vacant buildings. One of the senators sniped, “What does he think this is, a monarchy?”.
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
That festive atmosphere erupted when forward Will Lockwood converted a 2-on-1 rush with a top-shelf snipe that had fans leaping from their seats. Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025 The Prep scored one second before the half to make it 3-2 with a Barton snipe. Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Kam Tremblay sniped the game-winning goal with 16 seconds remaining, as Billerica stunned BC High, 8-7. Dylan Lane found the net six times for Lexington in an 11-7 Middlesex League win against Belmont. Danny Ventura, Boston Herald, 20 May 2025 However, late in the first period Sunday, Bedard seized the puck after a faceoff scrum and sniped a shot from the slot with 1 minute, 48 seconds left. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for snipe

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse snīpa snipe; akin to Old High German snepfa snipe

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of snipe was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snipe. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

snipe

1 of 2 noun
plural snipes or snipe
: any of several birds that have a long slender bill, live mostly in marshy areas, and are related to the sandpipers

snipe

2 of 2 verb
sniped; sniping
1
: to shoot at exposed individuals of an enemy's forces from a usually concealed point
2
: to attack with unfair or cutting remarks
sniper noun

More from Merriam-Webster on snipe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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