as in rapes
the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal
to the police chief, it didn't look like a snatch, but another case of a bride-to-be getting cold feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in grabs
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of snatches
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2025
The major achievement of Ozon’s film is to adapt literature without literalizing (there are just two snatches of narration that are directly lifted from source), and to honor the novel’s mystery without trying to solve it.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
The ribbed-trim detailing already sets it apart, while the subtle shaping at the waist snatches every figure.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Annahstasia, Tether Annahstasia Enuke’s voice — by turns a breathily bassy and sweetly soaring instrument — snatches you sideways across time.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
His grandfather, Leroy Hanlon, frustrated by this hesitancy, snatches the instrument out of Mike’s hand and carries out the deed himself.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Wednesday then rescues Pugsley as Gomez and Morticia arrive, but before the family can properly reunite, Isaac snatches Wednesday into his telekinetic grip, choking her.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
And just when the woman and the cookie are about to share a kiss, a hand reaches in from above and snatches the cookie from the scene.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere, with a 9-5 climb, the song also snatches a new peak on the overall Latin Airplay chart, marking Especial’s highest-charting song there.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
And so, the film’s spartan spell is undone by snatches of pedestrian drama and goofy, surreal symbolism.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2025
The major achievement of Ozon’s film is to adapt literature without literalizing (there are just two snatches of narration that are directly lifted from source), and to honor the novel’s mystery without trying to solve it.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Maisie is a throw-away child in 1910, captivated by a poster of a magical French carousel, when an aunt snatches her out of poverty and takes her into the home of her wealthy employer, a British lord.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
The ribbed-trim detailing already sets it apart, while the subtle shaping at the waist snatches every figure.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Annahstasia, Tether Annahstasia Enuke’s voice — by turns a breathily bassy and sweetly soaring instrument — snatches you sideways across time.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
His grandfather, Leroy Hanlon, frustrated by this hesitancy, snatches the instrument out of Mike’s hand and carries out the deed himself.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Wednesday then rescues Pugsley as Gomez and Morticia arrive, but before the family can properly reunite, Isaac snatches Wednesday into his telekinetic grip, choking her.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
And just when the woman and the cookie are about to share a kiss, a hand reaches in from above and snatches the cookie from the scene.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere, with a 9-5 climb, the song also snatches a new peak on the overall Latin Airplay chart, marking Especial’s highest-charting song there.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snatches
Noun
-
The four rapes allegedly took place in 2018, 2023 and 2024, the last one after the police investigation began.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
During the nine-month-long ordeal, the then-14-year-old was subjected to daily rapes and endured physical abuse and starvation.—
Stephanie Kaloi,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Video shows that in the seconds before Pretti is shot, the 37-year-old ICU nurse grabs the observer’s backpack when he is pulled to the ground by a group of agents.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The officer grabs Pretti’s shirt at his chest, pulling him back toward the vehicle as Pretti’s arms flail.—
Michael Biesecker,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In one of the largest mass abductions targeting religious worship centers in the West African nation in recent months, the attackers on Sunday raided three different churches in Kaduna state's Kajuru council area, seizing 177 people before 11 managed to escape.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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Composite sketches of a suspect were released after some witnesses, under hypnosis, claimed to have seen a man at the site of the Tim King abductions but those leads did not materialize.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The backstory Faena New York occupies the East Tower of One High Line—a sculptural work by Bjarke Ingels Group whose twisting geometric design catches sunlight like a prism.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Sophie’s wonderment at the ornate environment catches Benedict’s attention.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Season 2 also seizes on an obvious opportunity.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The team successfully seizes two tons of gold and apprehends the leader of the criminal network.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The exorbitant film captures the rotten state of our entertainment industry.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
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Body camera footage captures the responding officers trying to make sense of the situation, going back and forth between Held and Saracco asking if anyone involved is a federal agent.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snatches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatches. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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