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
On a set play, Poulin — who was lined up against Kelly Pannek, one of the premier faceoff centers in the game — won the offensive zone draw clean, snapping the puck back to an awaiting Dubois.
—
Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Dorofeyev answered after taking the puck from Chris Kreider, shifting to the slot and snapping a shot past Dostal.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
Prior to snapping its selfie, the rover had just finished abrading the rocky Arethusa outcrop.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 May 2026
Travelers may be tempted to just keep snapping.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
If this were an American show, the gears would already be grinding, camera angles snapping into place, and the story would be halfway to becoming gospel before anyone had time to blink.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 7 May 2026
That swing propelled the Rockies to a 6-2 win over the Mets on Thursday at Coors Field, avoiding a sweep and snapping a six-game losing streak.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Bieber did away with the stark, black finishes, replacing everything with soft fabrics in sand and cream tones, and hanging a brand sign on a mirror in the entryway—perfect for snapping selfies with Rhode’s viral lip-balm-holding phone case.
—Lucy Feldman, Time, 6 May 2026
Shohei Ohtani laced a 2-2 sweeper into the right-field corner for a double, snapping an 0-for-18 funk and sending Freeland to third.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 6 May 2026
Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Dorofeyev answered after taking the puck from Chris Kreider, shifting to the slot and snapping a shot past Dostal.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
Prior to snapping its selfie, the rover had just finished abrading the rocky Arethusa outcrop.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 May 2026
Travelers may be tempted to just keep snapping.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
If this were an American show, the gears would already be grinding, camera angles snapping into place, and the story would be halfway to becoming gospel before anyone had time to blink.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 7 May 2026
That swing propelled the Rockies to a 6-2 win over the Mets on Thursday at Coors Field, avoiding a sweep and snapping a six-game losing streak.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Bieber did away with the stark, black finishes, replacing everything with soft fabrics in sand and cream tones, and hanging a brand sign on a mirror in the entryway—perfect for snapping selfies with Rhode’s viral lip-balm-holding phone case.
—Lucy Feldman, Time, 6 May 2026
Shohei Ohtani laced a 2-2 sweeper into the right-field corner for a double, snapping an 0-for-18 funk and sending Freeland to third.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snapping
Verb
-
In the book, Turrubiate-Simpson questioned why the dogs weren't barking near the kennel right before the murders are thought to have taken place.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
But investigators eventually cracked the passcode on Paul Murdaugh’s phone and found a video with a barking dog and Alex Murdaugh’s voice admonishing it five minutes before the young man stopped using his phone.—
Jeffrey Collins,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Does Link have a pill-popping problem now?—
Max Gao,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
One of the major keys to popping curls is a healthy scalp, and this two-in-one cleanser and scrub keeps roots and follicles in prime condition so hair can flourish.—
Aimee Simeon,
Glamour,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Then be sure to read our beginner's guide to photographing the Milky Way, along with our roundups of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
Irby filmed private workouts with Murdock, photographing his wingspan and 10-inch hands, and peppering college recruiting and coaching staffs with that data.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Adjust the timing without changing the goal.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Having Last Driver be such a vehicular-centric book led him to being open to changing up its reading style and choosing to put it out in a landscape format.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The musical — a rock-and-raunch, goth-and-gay parody of cheesy, mid-century horror/sci-fi flicks — was created by Richard O’Brien (book, music, lyrics and who performed as the snarling butler Riff Raff).—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
-
From those ashes, Detroit has somehow pivoted, almost overnight, into this season’s snarling, physical bunch that was one of the NBA’s best defensive teams.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Subscription revenue was up 4% at $46 million (adjusting down to a 5% decrease when accounting for foreign currency translation) and ad sales rose 3% to $23 million (also shifting to a dip of 5% without favorable impact from exchange rates).—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
This knowledge is critical for monitoring and predicting how our ocean-climate system is shifting, affecting both people and ecosystems in our changing world.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Which is why they are now broken up, and everyone is shouting that Amanda is the worst friend since Brutus, and everyone is asking Kyle about his skin-care regimen.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
Last week, the former Duke of York was reportedly out walking the Queen's corgis near the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on May 6 when a masked man wearing a balaclava, or ski mask, jumped out of his parked car and started shouting at Andrew.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Two new Sox players made their Rate Field debuts as members of the team — with varying results.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
The bike kitchen is open Tuesday-Friday and Sunday at varying hours, which are listed on the organization’s Instagram and website.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snapping. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
