1
as in barking
to speak sharply or irritably
the shopkeeper finally snapped at one customer who couldn't seem to make up his mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in popping
to break suddenly with an explosive sound
the fragile twig snapped in her hands
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in photographing
to take a photograph of
be sure to snap everything you see on your vacation, and then you can show us
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in changing
to pass from one form, state, or level to another
she abruptly snapped alert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 snapping
The unexpected guest drew a stunned silence from attendees, with many snapping photos.
—
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Mathieu Olivier scored the first goal 44 seconds into the second period, taking a pass from Werenski on a 3-on-2 rush and snapping a shot over the glove of Philadelphia goalie Dan Vladar to tie the score 1-1.
—CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
With Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark snapping pictures on the sideline as a credentialed photographer, Doncic sank 15 of 30 shots and hit 9 of 10 free throws.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The store on Place Vendôme stands in contrast to the lines of tourists snapping photos in front of Cartier or the Ritz.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
In the closing seconds, McEnelly willingly took a pair of stall calls to avoid any further attacks, prevailing 4-3 and snapping Welsh’s 40-match win streak.
—Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
The first major flip phone, the Motorola StarTAC, was released in 1996, and there has never been a more satisfying way to end a phone call than snapping one shut.
—Ryan Brennan
march 20, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Drivers mired in traffic on Interstate 10 spotted the riders and smiled, snapping photos with their phones.
—Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Golden State was coming off a scrappy victory over hapless Washington, snapping a five-game losing streak.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2026
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Mathieu Olivier scored the first goal 44 seconds into the second period, taking a pass from Werenski on a 3-on-2 rush and snapping a shot over the glove of Philadelphia goalie Dan Vladar to tie the score 1-1.
—CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
With Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark snapping pictures on the sideline as a credentialed photographer, Doncic sank 15 of 30 shots and hit 9 of 10 free throws.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The store on Place Vendôme stands in contrast to the lines of tourists snapping photos in front of Cartier or the Ritz.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
In the closing seconds, McEnelly willingly took a pair of stall calls to avoid any further attacks, prevailing 4-3 and snapping Welsh’s 40-match win streak.
—Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
The first major flip phone, the Motorola StarTAC, was released in 1996, and there has never been a more satisfying way to end a phone call than snapping one shut.
—Ryan Brennan
march 20, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Drivers mired in traffic on Interstate 10 spotted the riders and smiled, snapping photos with their phones.
—Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Golden State was coming off a scrappy victory over hapless Washington, snapping a five-game losing streak.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snapping
Verb
-
In the past few years, Underwood has come to realize that a bunch of barking alphas may not, in fact, be the best way to build a successful pack.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
While his peers aimed to achieve maximum tension by barking about capitalism over jabbing, if not outright obnoxious, guitars, Shaw scrapped layer after layer—distortion pedals, crash cymbals, eventually the drum machine itself—to crystalize his band’s own sound.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Throughout the day, jot down any worries that are bothering you, particularly the ones that keep popping up.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Derpy McFlurry, blends creamy vanilla soft serve with berry popping pearls in a wild berry sauce.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Emirates have strict laws around photographing evidence of attacks.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The astronauts will spend the day observing and photographing the far side of the moon, parts of which have never been seen by human eyes, and then circle it for a return to Earth.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Then the finalists take the stage, delivering inspiring pitches that could earn game-changing funding.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
As backyard lifestyles grow more popular and homeowners look for smarter home technologies, expectations around pool care are changing.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iran has maintained its ability to strike targets in the region and effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, snarling the global oil trade.—
Will Weissert,
Twin Cities,
25 Mar. 2026
-
At night, Yusuf goes back to his village, where his family is regularly brutalized by the local authorities, led by the snarling protomillenarian Captain Wingate (played by Robert Aramayo, whom some will recognize as the young actor who scored an upset win at the BAFTAs last month for I Swear).—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After a decade in which private credit lenders grew rapidly and took over a large share of financing for leveraged buyouts, signs of strain in that sector, along with easing bank rules, may now be shifting the balance.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Trump has also offered shifting war aims and timelines.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An employee at the Xalapa vehicle impound lot, where the truck was taken, told The Associated Press that the trailer had been stopped about 28 miles southeast of the city and that hours after arriving at the lot, workers began to hear shouting and banging coming from inside.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Quinlan is proud protesters have ignored MAGA supporters who have driven past, waving flags, honking horns and shouting insults during previous events.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Several projects at varying stages of approval are under consideration in Yorkville, forming what may one day be a sort of corridor of data center campuses in the northeast quadrant of Eldamain Road and Route 34.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
And his parents, Tahira (Sheeba Chaddha) and Parvez (Sajid Hasan), are varying degrees of supportive.—
Mark Meszoros,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snapping. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
