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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 snatched
Then Barnes snatched all three points with the latest winning goal in a Premier League game Opta has on record (since 2006-07).
—
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The dictator who imprisoned and tortured Venezuelan politicians, activists, and ordinary people was snatched from his bed and put on an American plane with his wife, Cilia Flores.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan government reasserted its control over Caracas with military and paramilitary troops after the United States snatched its head of state on Saturday.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Jan. 2026
For observers on Earth's night side in North America, South America, parts of Europe and Africa, the chief sight will be the edge of Earth's shadow creeping across the lunar surface, and perhaps a hint of red as totality is approached but then snatched away.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Deals this good usually get snatched up quicker than a final boarding call.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
The thieves quickly snatched dozens of purses and luxury items from the shelves before running away.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
After becoming an Internet sensation (and an art-world provocateur), the toilet moved to England in 2019, where a trio of thieves snatched it from the birthplace of Winston Churchill in a crime straight out of the board game Clue.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025
Japan says at least 17 of its citizens were snatched by North Korean agents in the late 1970s and 1980s.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The dictator who imprisoned and tortured Venezuelan politicians, activists, and ordinary people was snatched from his bed and put on an American plane with his wife, Cilia Flores.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan government reasserted its control over Caracas with military and paramilitary troops after the United States snatched its head of state on Saturday.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Jan. 2026
For observers on Earth's night side in North America, South America, parts of Europe and Africa, the chief sight will be the edge of Earth's shadow creeping across the lunar surface, and perhaps a hint of red as totality is approached but then snatched away.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Deals this good usually get snatched up quicker than a final boarding call.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
The thieves quickly snatched dozens of purses and luxury items from the shelves before running away.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
After becoming an Internet sensation (and an art-world provocateur), the toilet moved to England in 2019, where a trio of thieves snatched it from the birthplace of Winston Churchill in a crime straight out of the board game Clue.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025
Japan says at least 17 of its citizens were snatched by North Korean agents in the late 1970s and 1980s.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snatched
Verb
-
Baer grabbed the arms of his chair and began to stand.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
It was rapidly removed, but an image of the listing was grabbed ahead of that.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Real Madrid star Arda Guler was caught disagreeing with head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, after being brought off in Wednesday's 4-2 Champions League loss to Benfica.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In lieu of complicated controls and systems, these games seized on the high-energy gameplay of intense dogfighting moments, boiling it down into arcadey combat that was more accessible to the masses.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Gabbard was photographed in Fulton County on the day of the raid as the FBI seized 2020 election ballots.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snatched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatched. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
