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
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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
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Recent Examples of snapping
Rushing this step increases the resistance and risk of snapping the bolt.
—
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
Even now, nearly six and a half years later, the footage of Sadio Mane’s patience snapping with Mohamed Salah in the very public setting of a Premier League stadium seems deliciously off-script.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
His two-plus seasons coaching the Kings included snapping the longest playoff drought in NBA history and ended unceremoniously when he was fired on his way to the airport to catch a flight with the team to Los Angeles in December 2024 while on a five-game losing streak.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 14 Jan. 2026
The Horned Frogs needed his production as starting wing Liutaurus Lelevicius went scoreless and sophomore forward Micah Robinson also struggled with just five points, snapping a streak of four games with 10 or more points.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Jan. 2026
Hunter Erickson’s 15-foot fadeaway jumper at time expired propelled Hawaii to a 67-66 victory over UC Irvine on Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center, handing the Anteaters their first loss in conference play and snapping their five-game winning streak.
—Oc Register, 11 Jan. 2026
The Hawks fell 5-1 on Friday night for their first loss of 2026, snapping a season-high four-game winning streak.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Brunson shot 10-of-23, 10-of-24, 10-of-23, 10-of 21 and 10-of-23 in the five games leading into Wednesday’s skid-snapping victory over the Clippers.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Investing in something as simple as a large plastic box with a snapping lid can save you lots of grief.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
Even now, nearly six and a half years later, the footage of Sadio Mane’s patience snapping with Mohamed Salah in the very public setting of a Premier League stadium seems deliciously off-script.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
His two-plus seasons coaching the Kings included snapping the longest playoff drought in NBA history and ended unceremoniously when he was fired on his way to the airport to catch a flight with the team to Los Angeles in December 2024 while on a five-game losing streak.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 14 Jan. 2026
The Horned Frogs needed his production as starting wing Liutaurus Lelevicius went scoreless and sophomore forward Micah Robinson also struggled with just five points, snapping a streak of four games with 10 or more points.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Jan. 2026
Hunter Erickson’s 15-foot fadeaway jumper at time expired propelled Hawaii to a 67-66 victory over UC Irvine on Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center, handing the Anteaters their first loss in conference play and snapping their five-game winning streak.
—Oc Register, 11 Jan. 2026
The Hawks fell 5-1 on Friday night for their first loss of 2026, snapping a season-high four-game winning streak.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Brunson shot 10-of-23, 10-of-24, 10-of-23, 10-of 21 and 10-of-23 in the five games leading into Wednesday’s skid-snapping victory over the Clippers.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Investing in something as simple as a large plastic box with a snapping lid can save you lots of grief.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snapping
Verb
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On Saturday morning, the center received a report of barking from a remote canyon roughly a mile from where Lana was last seen.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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The following morning, a resident called about a dog barking in a remote canyon roughly a mile from where the canine was reported missing.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Several other scarf-like neck pillows have begun popping up, including the Pono Neck Cradle Travel Pillow, $46, and the Vesta Loop Neck Pillow, $50.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The booming stock market has produced eye-popping gains, and the 2025 tax-and-spending bill will lead to fatter federal refunds.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The trio also offers a range of travel styles, such as chasing eclipses from Arctic and Mediterranean cruise ships in 2026, photographing the eclipsed sun above ancient temples in 2027, and combining stargazing and Outback road trips in 2028.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
4 Jan. 2026
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By choosing a jurisdiction with strict privacy laws and tougher limits on photographing children, Clooney is effectively arbitraging legal regimes the way multinational corporations arbitrage tax codes—only here the protected asset is family life, not corporate profit.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Strategically using dimmers, light-filtering and -blocking window coverings, and temperature-changing light sources also offer sensory support.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Events like moving to a new neighborhood, buying a new car, changing jobs or even adjusting one’s daily commute can be enough to warrant a review of one’s risks and coverage.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Television cameras caught Adebayo snarling dismissively.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Entire families, with kids and dogs, took their holiday portraits — not with a jocular Santa, but with a snarling Krampus, standing in front of an Alpine forest backdrop.—
Deena Prichep,
NPR,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Last week, Graham Knaus, the chief executive of the California State Association of Counties, criticized Newsom’s budget for not responding to the cost burdens shifting to local governments.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In Huntington Beach, the coastal community has long had a reputation as a Southern California stronghold for Republicans, though its politics have recently been shifting.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kelly, during the demonstration, filmed himself directly confronting lead pastor Jonathan Parnell and shouting in the faces of parishioners, even following them to their cars with crying children in tow.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
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An arrest report for Stout says that Wayne and multiple other people living in the home heard Stout shouting at the girl and slapping noises.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One of the provisions of Measure C is to allocate revenue from the hotel tax boost in varying percentages, depending on the use.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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Because her aunts decide her mother is too poor to raise her children, Fanny, age ten, is delivered like a parcel to Mansfield Park where she is given a large prosperous family who treat her with varying levels of indifference and contempt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snapping. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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