as in grabbed
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
the brazen seagull snatched the french fry right from my hand
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Recent Examples of snatched
Cleveland snatched an immediate 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on back-to-back doubles by rookie leadoff hitter Travis Bazzana and star third baseman José Ramírez, but then Gray settled in and gave his team six innings of one-run ball on 92 pitches (58 for strikes).
—
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
After an early goal by the Italian forward Moise Kean provided a period of optimism, Bosnia and Herzegovina tied the score in the seventy-ninth minute, then snatched victory in penalty kicks, sending the home crowd into jubilation.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
In better news, Apple may be working on an iOS update that detects when a phone is snatched and automatically locks it.
—Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026
The site describes how the potential new feature will use the accelerometer to detect when your iPhone is snatched in a similar way to Android’s Theft Detection Lock.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Teammate Marcus Armstrong snatched the lead in the seconds before another caution, before race control quickly moved to ensure there was a one-lap shootout to settle the race, with Rosenqvist in third.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 25 May 2026
My pores are non-existent, my forehead is snatched and fine-line free, and my skin looks so glassy and smooth.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 24 May 2026
Tom Quinn’s indie outfit snatched up Fjord for domestic release ahead of this year’s festival.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2026
The Broadview facility was filled with dozens of immigrants who’d been snatched off the streets.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
After an early goal by the Italian forward Moise Kean provided a period of optimism, Bosnia and Herzegovina tied the score in the seventy-ninth minute, then snatched victory in penalty kicks, sending the home crowd into jubilation.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
In better news, Apple may be working on an iOS update that detects when a phone is snatched and automatically locks it.
—Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026
The site describes how the potential new feature will use the accelerometer to detect when your iPhone is snatched in a similar way to Android’s Theft Detection Lock.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Teammate Marcus Armstrong snatched the lead in the seconds before another caution, before race control quickly moved to ensure there was a one-lap shootout to settle the race, with Rosenqvist in third.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 25 May 2026
My pores are non-existent, my forehead is snatched and fine-line free, and my skin looks so glassy and smooth.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 24 May 2026
Tom Quinn’s indie outfit snatched up Fjord for domestic release ahead of this year’s festival.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2026
The Broadview facility was filled with dozens of immigrants who’d been snatched off the streets.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snatched
Verb
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In the final two minutes, Salaün grabbed two crucial rebounds, hit two free throws, and knocked down a clutch jumper that gave Golden State a 87-84 lead.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
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Howard added 22 points and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds, and Miles added 16 points and eight assists.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Marcus Ingvartsen has become one of the league’s most efficient finishers, Anders Dreyer remains the club’s creative pulse and Mikey Varas’ team still plays with the possession-heavy ambition that caught everyone by surprise in its inaugural season.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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Tomato plants can make a healthy recovery and return to normal from curling leaves, especially if it’s caught early and adjustments are made.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Liliana Escobar made sure the Lions seized it.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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During the search, police said investigators allegedly seized 30 grams worth of fentanyl pills, 12 grams of crack cocaine, several digital scales, a BB gun, and two 9mm rounds of ammunition.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snatched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatched. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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