1
as in traps
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
you fell for my clever snare, you fool!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in tangles
something that catches and holds
someday you'll find that your lies are a snare from which you can't escape
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in nets
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
2
as in grabs
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
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 snares
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Mar. 2026
Hi-hats and snares appear in fragmentary bursts, icy synths precipitate and evaporate, and Zel slithers wryly in the cut.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026
One photographer visited Uganda and captured the striking image of a mountain of snares, used to trap wildlife and confiscated by the nation’s rangers.
—Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
The team used non-invasive survey tools, including 285 hair snares and 135 remote cameras, to collect the information from a 150-square-mile area, the institute said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
The team gathered their marten data via 285 hair snares (made from PVC pipe) and 135 cameras.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
Its graphic clarity teems with ornament and glitter, visual intoxications that signal delusions and snares.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
In other parts of the state, hoop nets and crab snares may be used.
—Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
But those Prince-like snares are rounded out with a full string orchestra of Swedish musicians.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Maybe Deandre Ayton snares his first signature Lakers moment.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Conservationists-in-the-making can join hands-on efforts like removing poacher snares, clearing invasive plants, or collecting data on endangered species.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Mar. 2026
Hi-hats and snares appear in fragmentary bursts, icy synths precipitate and evaporate, and Zel slithers wryly in the cut.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026
One photographer visited Uganda and captured the striking image of a mountain of snares, used to trap wildlife and confiscated by the nation’s rangers.
—Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
The team used non-invasive survey tools, including 285 hair snares and 135 remote cameras, to collect the information from a 150-square-mile area, the institute said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
The team gathered their marten data via 285 hair snares (made from PVC pipe) and 135 cameras.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
Its graphic clarity teems with ornament and glitter, visual intoxications that signal delusions and snares.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
In other parts of the state, hoop nets and crab snares may be used.
—Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
But those Prince-like snares are rounded out with a full string orchestra of Swedish musicians.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Hair snares use tape and wire to collect DNA and other data by collecting a sample of wild animal hair when creatures pass by, according to Popular Science.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Maybe Deandre Ayton snares his first signature Lakers moment.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snares
Noun
-
These torons act as microscopic traps for light.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Mar. 2026
-
This time last year, surveillance traps had single-digit counts of black flies.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To him, the vision seemed right — not in the specific locations activated by various themes but in the sense that our neuroanatomy did seem to parse the world by subject, tangles and folds of neurons lighting up in response to clouds of ideas.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Chapek’s woes as Disney chief have been well documented, from his tangles in Florida to an ugly public spat with Scarlett Johansson to alienating top executives by removing creative decision-making authority in a hugely unpopular restructuring.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chibale grabs a chemistry book off the shelf in his office and riffles through a parade of molecules — each one like an old friend.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Afterward the man with the shotgun points it inside the truck’s cabin and the passenger grabs its barrel, the video shows.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the months before the surge in operations, police lost 25 armored vehicles to ambushes involving barricades, trenches and Molotov cocktail attacks, authorities said.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Hamas has used the tunnels to store weapons, hide hostages and stage ambushes of Israeli soldiers.—
Samuel Granados,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Her life as portrayed on Mormon Wives is that of a loose cannon who struggles to liberate herself from toxic romantic entanglements, running directly counter to The Bachelor’s fantasy of happily-ever-after.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
According to Sean Hastings, a policy manager for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ship strikes and entanglements in fishing gear are currently the number one and number two threats to whales.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 27-year-old Kmet primarily played in-line (62%) in 2025, but has demonstrated slot production in three straight years of 50-plus catches from 2021 to 2023.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The critical detail that catches many retirees off guard is the two-year lookback.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fragata is great for families, thanks to its volleyball nets and pedal boats.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The entire town of Izium is draped in a canopy of anti-drone nets.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cinematographer Tim Ives snatches his rare opportunities to shoot the beautiful scenery, but most of the pair’s encounters take place in or near Ledger’s orange pickup truck, a totem from the book.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
There’s much for delight, but the drama lost steam in a confusing episode near the end, when a Snake (portrayed by Abrahamse) snatches the Prince away.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snares. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
