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 bastard
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
They are characterized by a strass snake detail that sits on top of a wide-toe strap that wraps around the front of the foot. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026 In one experiment, for example, college students were shown trypophobic images, typical fear-inducing pictures—such as those of snakes and spiders—and control images. — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
The path of the pipeline, owned by Valero and Plains All American Pipeline, was intended to snake through Boxtown, a working-class Black community in South Memphis. — Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026 On a recent Tuesday in October, about 50 people were in a line that snaked around the lobby of the Public Theater in Manhattan. — Mariah Kreutter, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for snake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snake
  1. serpent
  2. jerk
  3. traitor
  4. lurk
  5. crawl
  6. viper
  7. dog
  8. sneak
Noun
  • In Puranic and Vaishnava traditions, Lakshmana is believed to be the incarnation of Shesha, lord of the nagas (serpents) and the divine serpent on which the Hindu god Vishnu rests.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • De Arechaga himself told a creation story involving a goddess and a cosmic serpent who is split into male and female halves.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of serpent
Noun
  • That roller coaster of flavor and tenderness comes from dry-aging the steaks for 30 to 40 days in rum, and a marinade that involves both jerk spice and Onwuachi’s mother’s Creole green seasoning, a paste of herbs, aromatics and peppers.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • This book includes nothing from Elain’s perspective; hopefully, the next book will prioritize her and possibly offer some magical explanation for why the rest of the Night Court has been such jerks to one another in this novel.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of jerk
Noun
  • Aside from his surprise heartthrob status, the British comedian has been vocal about feeling anxious as a traitor.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Abby became suspicious of Kuehl during a private conversation about possible traitors in the group.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of traitor
Verb
  • Every facet of India’s topography, from lush grasslands filled with antelopes to gnarled forests with tigers and evil spirits lurking around every corner, is on full display.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The Beast, or some Beast-like relative, also has been seen in Milwaukee, outside a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Lake Geneva and, across the state line, in Antioch, Galena and lurking near the Great Lakes Naval Station in Lake County.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of lurk
Verb
  • However, a new type of gut-crawling worm being designed by engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), may actually be here to help.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Firefighters bravely crawled past the fire before hoses reached it to pull the five family members out.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of crawl
Noun
  • But almost from the beginning, some people questioned whether a Gaboon viper really could be slithering through the Orange County city.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • There were rattlesnakes and vipers in the rest of Canada, but no snakes here in except the harmless garter snake.
    — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of viper
Noun
  • After contracting the plague, he was banished to a cave, where a dog brought him bread and healed his wounds by licking them.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Anyone seeking to adopt a dog or cat can fill out the adoption form on their website.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • There's no way a cat could sneak past the dogs through the doggy door.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • That loss by the Huskies could be what Timber Creek (6-3) needed to sneak into the 6A -1 bracket.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of sneak

Phrases Containing snake

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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 4 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on snake

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about snake

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