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

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 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

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

The Bell Jar Tracing the tangle of a new job in New York City and the simultaneous onrush of clinical depression, The Bell Jar brings the interior world of central character Esther Greenwood into stunning relief.

— Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of tangle

Verb

Running back If you’re not used to seeing the running back position here, grab a ticket and join the line.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Just like the rest of us that day, most of the dead were just going about such ordinary tasks as showing up for work, grabbing a cup of coffee and traveling on a commercial jetliner, or just trying to lend a hand to people in trouble.

— Mike Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of grab

Noun

Prosecutors say the Grammy winner orchestrated a revenge hit on rival rapper Quando Rondo, but a 2022 gas station ambush near the Beverly Center killed unintended victim Saviay’a Robinson.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Schools for young Werewolves are said to be in operation, staffed by SS officers who are teaching the students the tactics of ambush mobility.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ambush

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

Gauff knocked the ball into a rectangular expanse of blue, as Jović stood in the doubles alley and doubled over to her knees, trying to catch her breath.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Well, the internet cooked up the idea that the chant originated from late-1800s and early-1900s imagery and stories that depicted Black children being used as bait to catch alligators.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of catch

Noun

OpenAI's security and safety practices have been under intense scrutiny after the company disclosed that two of its models escaped their training environment, accessed the open web and breached Hugging Face's systems last month.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
The all-black look was completed with custom Miss Z pumps from Louboutin, carrying the arachnid theme down to her feet with a mesh spider-web design and 3D spider adornments.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 1 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Snare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snare. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of snare

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

magnanimous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes