snare 1 of 2

snare

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb snare contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of snare are bag, capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," trap, snare, entrap, ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals
snared butterflies with a net

When is bag a more appropriate choice than snare?

In some situations, the words bag and snare are roughly equivalent. However, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is it sensible to use capture instead of snare?

Although the words capture and snare have much in common, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When would catch be a good substitute for snare?

The synonyms catch and snare are sometimes interchangeable, but catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How are the words entrap and ensnare related as synonyms of snare?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question
a sting operation that ensnared burglars

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 snare
Noun
It’s also brilliantly arranged, from the chiming guitar on the intro to the way the rhythm section makes its entrance (McCartney-esque bassline and rat-a-tat snare) before pulling back on the chorus, where Ruess’ vocal appears to be floating in space on a bed of keyboards and piano. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 26 Sep. 2025 Daugherty put the snare around the animal. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
When Bello hit Tyler Heineman with a pitch to lead off the fifth, the right-hander immediately drew a double play from George Springer, helping his own cause by snaring the grounder up the middle and firing the ball to second. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025 The 36-year-old safety was selected 29th overall in the 2012 draft and is the NFL's active leader in interceptions with 37 snared in his career. Trevor Squire, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for snare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snare
Noun
  • Half of his power lies in his ability to explore outside the mold, pushing through reggaetón into dancehall and Latin trap without losing command of the audience.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, every apparent breakdown has turned into a bear trap, sparking powerful reversals in the opposite direction.
    Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What is normal in the state of dementia, where connections are not being made, where tangle is all, objects take on a curious aspect, and where there is an unpleasant flavor to the hours?
    Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In a yarn shop, a tangle of tariffs Sara Heckman’s shop Apricot Yarn & Supply sells yarn from around the world.
    Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Asian restaurant joins what has become an increasingly attractive section of Meridian for grabbing food.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The Clinton years and the 1990s, defined by continuous domestic economic growth and headline-grabbing scandals, were a time when liberal idealism was so strong that Aaron Sorkin wrote a show about it.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After what witnesses and victims described as an ambush, some inmates seized and passed out from the fumes.
    Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Israel launched strikes against Hamas in Gaza and reportedly suspended all aid shipments on Sunday after blaming Hamas for a lethal Palestinian ambush that left two soldiers dead.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Hanna placed the noose over Bethea’s neck.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Indeed, inflation remains a noose around Milei’s neck.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The final was 28-7, as Rashee Rice caught a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to add to the lead.
    Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • With Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel both out, the 10th-year NFL veteran caught all four of his targets for 36 yards — trailing only Jaylin Lane, Chris Moore and Zach Ertz in receiving for Washington.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Amazon and Apple are set to report on Thursday, and Cramer said the most important aspect of the former’s quarter is its web services division.
    Julie Coleman, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
  • For each web, arrange 8 pretzel sticks like the spokes of a wheel with ends touching in center.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Diabate is relentless and has an uncanny knack for the ball, endearing himself to his teammates with his penchant for keeping the ball alive or snatching offense rebounds off the glass.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Those hoping to snatch a home in this busy period faced limited options on the market, as the country’s developers had chronically underbuilt compared to demand in the years following the subprime mortgage crisis, leading to ruthless bidding wars and climbing home values.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Snare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snare. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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