as in jams
a crowded mass (as of cars) that impedes or blocks movement
to no avail, the city promotes carpooling to help ease the traffic snarls that always accompany rush hour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in barks
to speak sharply or irritably
she snarled at me after I kept badgering her with questions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in knots
to twist together into a usually confused mass
you'll be awfully sorry if you snarl your fishing line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of snarls
Adele Chapin, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2026
As Ross, Martin’s friend and confidante, Kevin Singer has the insinuating righteousness of a slinky cat, his line readings all mews and snarls.
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Travelers using Miami International Airport on Saturday or into the early hours of Sunday should plan for major traffic snarls because of Inter Miami’s debut match at its new stadium.
—Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
And when transportation snarls, that means any business that needs somebody to be somewhere at a particular time feels an immediate impact.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
The lengthy delays to get through security checkpoints come as more travelers are going on trips for spring break and running into snarls because of the partial government shutdown.
—Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
But the scope of the IEEPA tariffs was so massive (to date, CBP and administration officials estimate IEEPA revenue rings in at up to $175 billion) that the process is bound to hit some snarls.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
Advertisement The event was widely criticized for what many said was its chaotic organization, including widespread road closures for VIP motorcades that caused traffic snarls across the city.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Traffic snarls clearing Northbound Interstate 75 traffic was closed near downtown Cincinnati, Cincinnati police said Tuesday afternoon.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2026
Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Beyond the red tape that snarls any new apartment, condominiums confront an additional hurdle.
—M. Nolan Gray, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
Visiting is free, and public transit is recommended due to the traffic snarls along the National Mall (especially on the weekend).
—Adele Chapin, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2026
As Ross, Martin’s friend and confidante, Kevin Singer has the insinuating righteousness of a slinky cat, his line readings all mews and snarls.
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Travelers using Miami International Airport on Saturday or into the early hours of Sunday should plan for major traffic snarls because of Inter Miami’s debut match at its new stadium.
—Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
And when transportation snarls, that means any business that needs somebody to be somewhere at a particular time feels an immediate impact.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
The lengthy delays to get through security checkpoints come as more travelers are going on trips for spring break and running into snarls because of the partial government shutdown.
—Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
But the scope of the IEEPA tariffs was so massive (to date, CBP and administration officials estimate IEEPA revenue rings in at up to $175 billion) that the process is bound to hit some snarls.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
Advertisement The event was widely criticized for what many said was its chaotic organization, including widespread road closures for VIP motorcades that caused traffic snarls across the city.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Traffic snarls clearing Northbound Interstate 75 traffic was closed near downtown Cincinnati, Cincinnati police said Tuesday afternoon.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Security snarls The TSA PreCheck line at terminal B in LaGuardia Airport in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City, on March 27, 2026.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Beyond the red tape that snarls any new apartment, condominiums confront an additional hurdle.
—M. Nolan Gray, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snarls
jams
Noun
-
The show ebbed and flowed with precision, with the uptempo jams countered by Mars’ considerable arsenal of ballads.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Eighth-grade pitcher Molly Buffington worked out of several jams, including when King Philip had the game-winning run on base in the seventh and eighth.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snarls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snarls. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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