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
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
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
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The number of rapes reported in the city fell by 18% with 45 reports this year compared to 55 incidents through the first three weeks of December in 2024.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 Jan. 2026
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Canada, for example, stressed the need to protect women and girls, who are being subjected to horrific rapes by criminal gangs.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But as the ball arrives the defender grabs the jersey with the right hand and pulls the defender down.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
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As one officer grabs at her door handle, a third officer who had circled to the front of the SUV from the opposite side draws his gun.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Justice Department opinion allows ‘forcible abductions’ abroad In ordering Noriega’s removal, the White House relied on a 1989 legal opinion by then-Assistant Attorney General Bill Barr, issued six months before the invasion.—
Joshua Goodman,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
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These scams do not involve real abductions.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Australian Geographic reports that the bird catches prey midair during hunting.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Despite these close ties, the identity of the murderer catches her completely by surprise.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The slender but powerful book takes place over the course of a week, when Ma’s plans are suddenly imperiled while Boomba seizes the chance to make up for his past mistakes and help his family.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
22 Dec. 2025
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In the novel, Joan Goodwin, a physics professor with a lifelong love of the stars, seizes the chance to join NASA’s first class of women astronauts and soon finds friendship, passion, and purpose among her fellow trainees.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Speedskating is among those niche Olympic sports that captures the country’s attention for a week or two every four years.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
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Ross’ phone then captures the SUV accelerating down the street.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snatches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatches. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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