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
Relevance
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
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 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
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
23 June 2026
Scylla snatches up six of his men, but the rest make it to Thrinacia.
—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 June 2026
Every time that second title looks close, something happens that snatches the dream away.
—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Dubbed the Velvet Gang, the trio snatches the overpriced, often monochromatic fashion threads designed by Christie Smith (Demi Moore, in a performance of comedic genius), a pretentious piece of work who stations herself in a leaning building (wink, win to San Francisco there).
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
When the Mafia snatches her anyway, his PTSD returns and launches him on a dark path to vengeance.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
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
With a point guard’s projection and a preacher’s pace, Lawson’s voice snatches attention.
—
Marcus Thompson Ii,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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
This dooms the kingdom to the tyrannical rule of the villainous Priscilla (Nikki Glaser), who swoops in and snatches the throne.
—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
23 June 2026
Scylla snatches up six of his men, but the rest make it to Thrinacia.
—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 June 2026
Every time that second title looks close, something happens that snatches the dream away.
—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Dubbed the Velvet Gang, the trio snatches the overpriced, often monochromatic fashion threads designed by Christie Smith (Demi Moore, in a performance of comedic genius), a pretentious piece of work who stations herself in a leaning building (wink, win to San Francisco there).
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
When the Mafia snatches her anyway, his PTSD returns and launches him on a dark path to vengeance.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
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
With a point guard’s projection and a preacher’s pace, Lawson’s voice snatches attention.
—
Marcus Thompson Ii,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snatches
Noun
-
Meanwhile, at least 681 rapes were reported from January to July 2025, with activists noting that unreported cases are much higher.
-
Three men, including Jackman, have all been tied to serial rapes in the Westport area in the 1980s.
Verb
-
What actually cuts through and grabs attention nowadays is humanity, clarity and credibility in messaging.
-
When Martinez throws something back, the woman rushes toward her, throws her to the ground, grabs her by the hair and repeatedly attacks her as bystanders try to step in and help.
Noun
-
There have been 24 fetal abductions reported to the NCMEC in the United States since 1974, according to Steinbach.
-
My Book of Firsts — and founded The JAYC Foundation, which helps families recovering from abductions or other traumatic events.
Verb
-
Angèle’s narrative never catches fire and while Anei is striking as Ada, that section of the film feels slightly patronizing, reducing this immigrant tale to yet another strained salute to perseverance.
-
Then something unusual catches your eye.
Noun
-
In 2025, 1,268 kidnappings were reported, a nearly 40% drop from the 2,058 kidnapping reported the previous year, the report stated.
-
In the '30s, when the Lindbergh baby was abducted, kidnappings and ransoms were so common that high-profile people often secured kidnapping insurance.
Verb
-
Trump seizes America’s 250th-birthday spotlight, headlining the Great American State Fair, hosting a UFC bout at the White House and promoting new passports, $250 bills and coins bearing his image.
-
Ellie brings up the salad and seizes the opportunity to take credit for her part in making lunch.
Verb
-
Artisan captures footage of each participant striking up conversations with women, and then plays it back for the group like a football team grinding tape.
-
This learning system captures agent performance, analyzes it, and feeds back improvements automatically.
Cite this Entry
“Snatches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatches. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
