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

Recounting her boyfriend calling the police on her during their fraught break-up, the chorus rings out over rowdy snares like a brutal playground taunt. — Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026 Poaching once devastated the park, but in the past decade, 40,000 wire snares have been removed, and black rhinos, cheetahs, lions and wild dogs have been reintroduced. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 19 July 2026

Verb

People snare smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bream and lake trout there. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026 But first, dropping back from a low zone along the right sideline, Pettus snared a deep pass intended for Mack Hollins amid a crowd of players. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for snare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for snare

Noun

Governments in the region launched a massive response, including traps, sniffer dogs, drone surveillance and most importantly, sterile flies.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
The direct heat helps re-crisp the bottom of the crust, while the lid traps heat, so the cheese and toppings warm through without the crust becoming excessively dry.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of trap

Noun

Diagramming software that turns a tangle of process steps or network layouts into something readable usually comes with a subscription attached.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026
The pain of his inability to speak about the tangle of anger and shame gnawing at him is palpable.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of tangle

Verb

Emmys nights one and two saw Widow’s Bay pick up a whopping eight trophies, one short of The Studio’s total of nine last year, and this evening might end with Widow’s Bay grabbing a lot of the same awards The Studio did last year.

— Vulture Staff, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Researchers have long recognized that humor can grab attention, deepen social connection, and build attraction.

— Norbert Schwarz, Harvard Business Review, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of grab

Noun

Like ballplayers just before the pitch, animal control crouched into position, with thick metal grabbers, nooses, and nets at the ready.

— Zachary Przystup, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
In other words, personal bankruptcy can take the financial noose off debtors’ necks.

— Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of noose

Verb

The smart kids, the shy ones, the jokers and the loners — every one of them is caught in the pyroclastic flow of adolescence, every minute a negotiation between fitting in and standing out.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
Nesting is always perilous, but the moment when the male and female trade places is especially so, as the incubating bird’s movement may catch the attention of a predator.

— Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of catch

Noun

Apple reportedly plans to pitch the iPhone Ultra as a device that's more beneficial for web browsing, framing subjects with a gigantic viewfinder, and most importantly, watching video.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Morgan was at the center of a web of banks and industrial enterprises that exerted unprecedented control over the country’s commerce.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of web

Verb

Faria was down a break and scrambling to survive, having snatched the opening set by getting past Alcaraz’s defenses.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Antiques Roadshow, which has been airing on PBS since 1997, won its first ever Emmy in 24 attempts and snatched the award away from Queer Eye and Shark Tank for the first time since 2013.

— Peter White, Deadline, 5 Sep. 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 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of snare

noun

verb

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