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
Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Roger snatches the boy up and runs through the chaos toward the infirmary.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
Cinematographer Tim Ives snatches his rare opportunities to shoot the beautiful scenery, but most of the pair’s encounters take place in or near Ledger’s orange pickup truck, a totem from the book.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
There’s much for delight, but the drama lost steam in a confusing episode near the end, when a Snake (portrayed by Abrahamse) snatches the Prince away.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
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
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
Noun
The three compressions are Spanxsmooth Swim, which is light compression for barely there smoothing; Spanxshape Swim, medium compression for a little more tummy control and shaping, and Spanxsculpt Swim, strong compression that cinches and snatches.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
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 moment, captured on video and shared via Storyful, shows Serezhkina beginning her report before the dog — later identified as Martin — lunges forward and snatches the microphone straight from her hands.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Roger snatches the boy up and runs through the chaos toward the infirmary.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
Cinematographer Tim Ives snatches his rare opportunities to shoot the beautiful scenery, but most of the pair’s encounters take place in or near Ledger’s orange pickup truck, a totem from the book.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
There’s much for delight, but the drama lost steam in a confusing episode near the end, when a Snake (portrayed by Abrahamse) snatches the Prince away.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snatches
Noun
-
Nor does your letter mention the countless rapes and massacres carried out by Hamas on that day.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2026
-
During her nine-month-long abduction at age 14, Smart was subjected to daily rapes and endured physical abuse and starvation.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ebuehi starts to drive away as the officer reaches out and grabs Ebuehi and the scooter.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The zookeeper grabs him and delivers the line of the year.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No group has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s abductions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The number comes from a 1999 Department of Justice report that used surveys to estimate missing children cases nationwide under broad definitions, including everything from abductions to runaways to brief scares where a kid gets lost for a couple of hours.—
Stephen Johnson,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This is terrific value for the Jets — Taylor could be an instant-impact three-down weapon who catches a bunch of passes for a long time.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Lemon is highly productive (79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season) and an ace at yards after catch but would be a bit of a surprising pick at 11 because 1).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the '30s, when the Lindbergh baby was abducted, kidnappings and ransoms were so common that high-profile people often secured kidnapping insurance.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rather than intercepting income at the source, a bank levy freezes and seizes funds that are already sitting in your checking or savings account.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Like any well-meaning grifter, Anna (Halle Bailey) seizes the opportunity to hop a flight to picturesque Tuscany after meeting a handsome Italian stranger with an empty villa.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That exchange has become remarkably common and captures a much larger cultural shift.—
Jonathan Alpert OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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After some 53 years, Antigone remains a no-frills stronghold where community organizers trade flyers near the entrance, and the inventory captures the perspectives of life in a vibrant border city.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snatches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatches. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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