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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
From sticky asphalt graves to dinosaur-eating quicksand, these sites reveal how nature sometimes sets its own snares, and how life—on a mass scale—meets its end. Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Indeed, Ben is very much alive, hobbling around the woods on his crutches and setting snares to catch food. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
In June In the non-musical play categories, Stranger Things: The First Shadow snared the most nominations, with a total of seven, followed by The Hills of California with six. Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025 The broadcast networks are likely to focus on their ability to snare a younger cohort of viewers between 18 and 49, and to promote their news programming as a place that avoids some of the pointed debate that can be an element of many cable offerings. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for snare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snare
Noun
  • The bagless self-empty base can hold up to 60 days of dirt and debris, and HEPA filtration traps 99.97% of allergens.
    & John Mihaly, PC Magazine, 27 May 2025
  • When Aliyar breaks a match inside a lock and traps 700 kids in the school playground, he is suspended for a week from school.
    Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Other experimental drugs have targeted the tau tangles, a different protein that builds up inside nerve cells.
    Jon Hamilton, NPR, 30 May 2025
  • Despite the sleek design of modern gadgets and the rise of wireless solutions, both businesses and consumers still live in a frustrating tangle of cables.
    Mark Vena, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a coffee shop where guests can grab drip coffee, fresh juices, and a small selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, Loco Moco.
    Jalyn Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2025
  • The colorful bar framed in bright neon lights is on the main concourse, so people walking by can grab a drink and head to the casino or other favorite activity, Allen said.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Trump confronted South Africa's leader with false claims of genocide in Oval Office ambush.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • The ambush may have been revenge, according to court documents, KYTX reported.
    Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Surrounding June are several nooses, including one already occupied by Aunt Phoebe.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • Sorry, if Harvard were discriminating against Black students, or allowing nooses to be thrown over tree limbs, Obama would be joining a nationwide chorus of protest.
    Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Its structure brings to mind Mario Kart World: There are wider, more open zones to explore in between races of intense cycling action where catching a slipstream is key to securing a win.
    Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 23 May 2025
  • Just be sure to click that boss button before you get caught goofing off.
    John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • But then the genre all but disappeared at the box office, as people were getting their comedy through various web sites, social media and Marvel movies.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
  • On the ground floor there is also a window display dedicated to its signature web motif in green/red/green and in blue/red/blue established in the mid-1950s.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Sizes are limited, so don’t wait too long to snatch up a pair of these gorgeous leather wedges.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
  • Read Next National Bear learns ‘bad behaviors’ from Colorado resident’s trash habits, officials say May 22, 2025 3:23 PM Read Next National Bear snatches trail cam in its mouth — and is caught on video.
    Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Snare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snare. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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