snake 1 of 2

noun

ˈsnāk How to pronounce snake (audio)
Definition of snakenext
1
as in serpent
a limbless reptile with a long body snakes are cold-blooded, so they regulate their body temperature by alternately basking in sunlight and seeking shade

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2
as in dog
a person whose behavior is offensive to others why, that dirty, rotten snake!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in traitor
one who betrays a trust or an allegiance what a snake she was—having an affair with my husband while I was in the hospital!

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snake

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner snaking softly through the brush

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2
as in to crawl
to move slowly with the body close to the ground commandos snaking through the grass toward the house

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of snake
Noun
The Carnegie Mellon researchers have several ideas for how to improve the snake robot for possible future deployments. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026 Burmese pythons — destructive invasive snakes with few natural predators in Florida — have developed a new foothold outside the Everglades. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Verb
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Nick DiSalvo’s plaintive vocals and snaking riffs can gently suggest thoughtful indie rock or tense up to show off more doom-adjacent roots. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026 Food trucks reopened after the storm and long lines snaked around the vendor area. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for snake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snake
  1. serpent
  2. dog
  3. traitor
  4. lurk
  5. crawl
  6. viper
  7. jerk
  8. sneak
Noun
  • Staff at the publication viewed video that showed water streaming into a gallery containing WangShui’s oppose the serpent, 2024, an ink-on-aluminum work of heroic proportions.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 20 July 2026
  • According to the ancient Greeks, a mighty serpent called Ophion incubated an enormous egg that hatched into the universe and all its inhabitants.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of serpent
Noun
  • On the other side are industry advocates, who say the animals are well cared for, the stables are fine and the owners and drivers love their horses like most pet owners love their dogs.
    — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • In practical terms, this means the HSD Gen 3 can be set up for more than a light bag or two, taking a child, an adult passenger, a family dog, groceries, or heavier everyday cargo.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2026
Definition of dog
Noun
  • His tenure was upended by the arrest of Aldrich Ames, a CIA traitor.
    — Bob Drogin, Washington Post, 22 July 2026
  • In reality, the big debate has been about questions such as whether military bases should be named for traitors and whether governments should host monuments to a rebellion to defend slavery.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Definition of traitor
Verb
  • On April 29, the loose body that lurked in the backdrop all along became lodged inside Skubal’s elbow joint in front of the world.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Is the Caped Crusader lurking in the periphery of Matt’s vision?
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026
Definition of lurk
Verb
  • Fort Hood, Texas, one of the Army's largest bases, has closed one of its dining facilities after a video circulating on X appeared to show dozens of roaches crawling across the walls of the facility's kitchen.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Flash flood warnings were then issued again for New York City and nearby states as thunderstorms crawled across the region on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Definition of crawl
Noun
  • Hassabis, who won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2024 for pioneering the use of AI in protein prediction, is based in London and has largely avoided the viper pit created by the bare-knuckle AI race playing out in Silicon Valley.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
  • During his famous trials, Hercules encountered Echidna, who was half maiden and half viper.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of viper
Noun
  • Led and inspired by Chef Wayne Sharpe, this fast Jamaican restaurant serves iconic island meals like jerk chicken, jerk shrimp, vegan jerk, pineapple plantains, rice and peas, and Jamaican patties.
    — Alexandra Phelps July 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • Bates plans to expand that menu in the new brick-and-mortar restaurant, adding dishes like jerk catfish pasta and Louisiana Cajun cream sauce over dirty rice.
    — Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • Homer would likely be easier to sneak through to the practice squad and then elevate on game days.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Nick, Schmidt, Coach and Winston manage to sneak into the mansion, with Nick desperately trying to make things right with Jess, who is now fully freaking out.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Definition of sneak

Phrases Containing snake

Browse Nearby Words

snails
snake
snakebit
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Cite this Entry

“Snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snake. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on snake

Nglish: Translation of snake for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about snake

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