SNARE Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

snare 1 of 2

noun

ˈsner

Definition of snare

as in trap

a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise you fell for my clever snare, you fool!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in tangle

something that catches and holds someday you'll find that your lies are a snare from which you can't escape

Synonyms & Similar Words

snare

2 of 2

verb

as in to trap

to catch or hold as if in a net easily distracted by any bright object that snared his eye

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grab

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly campers trying to snare brook trout for supper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Also called devil's snare, the plant's seeds, roots, stems, and leaves are all dangerous if ingested. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 So, bringing the expressive pads allowed people to experiment with making music by sliding their fingers across them, putting a snare in the middle and a rim shot around the edges. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 30 June 2026

Verb

Starting the game with a miss on a rare 3-point attempt, Reed recovered with an early block on a layup attempt from Trevor Keels and snared seven rebounds, three on the offensive end, in an 88-87 loss to the Miami Heat. — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 4 July 2026 Fernando Alonso managed to snare a point in the madness of Monaco earlier this month, but a last-row lockout in Austria proved just how far off the pace Aston remain. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for snare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for snare

Noun

The team is analyzing microplastics painstakingly collected from plants, rocks, water samples and sticky traps erected along the shoreline.

— Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
This kit makes both jobs simple with tools for cleaning up to 15-foot vents with flexible rods, specialty brushes that fit inside lint traps, and tweezers to reach into all the nooks and crannies.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of trap

Noun

Penske has designed tracks through city blocks, but never through both federal and municipal grounds with a tangle of buildings that include the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and the National Archives.

— Adam Kilgore, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
The diminutive Taiwanese market-slash-lunch counter Taiwan Best Mart’s cold sesame noodles ($13) are a refreshing tangle of cucumbers, carrots, cilantro, scallions, sesame seeds, flour noodles and the market’s house sesame sauce.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of tangle

Noun

In other words, personal bankruptcy can take the financial noose off debtors’ necks.

— Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026
Iranian officials publicly executed two men accused of participating in sweeping anti-regime demonstrations earlier this year, human rights officials say, as Tehran tightened its noose on dissidents.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

Definition of noose

Verb

But not before the former cheerleader caught a pass from Tebow and immediately did a split, drawing cheers from her favorite quarterback.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Sprinkle the garlic butter breadcrumbs over the top of the salad so they get caught in the dressing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of catch

Noun

Jurin keeps working after the conversation ends—across phone, email, web chat and LINE, the messaging app used by the vast majority of Japan’s population—connecting plain language to the software that acts.

— Jurin AI Contributor, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
There appears to be no indication the scammer or scammers behind this web of deception are anywhere close to slowing down.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of web

Verb

McLaren's Norris found some unexpected extra pace in qualifying to snatch top spot ahead of the Mercedes pair of Russell and standings leader Kimi Antonelli.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Mendoza’s first drive ended with his first interception, which Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz snatched and took back 80 yards for a pick six.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of snatch

Browse Nearby Words

snap (up)

snare

snared

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Style

“Snare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snare. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of snare

noun

verb

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