Synonyms of snatching

snatching 1 of 2

noun

as in theft

an instance of theft

an industry in which the snatching of trade secrets is greatly feared

Synonyms & Similar Words

• theft
• grab
• swiping
• heist
• pinch
• mugging
• rip-off
• burglary
• break-in
• holdup
• stickup

snatching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of snatch

as in grabbing

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

• grabbing
• catching
• seizing
• capturing
• getting
• snagging
• landing
• trapping
• nabbing
• snaring
• bagging
• corralling
• hooking
• grappling
• netting
• copping
• nailing
• collaring
• rapping
• snapping (up)
• taking hold (of)
• clutching
• holding
• grasping
• glomming
• nobbling
• arresting
• securing
• detaining
• apprehending
• clasping
• gripping
• roping
• lassoing
• kidnapping
• gloving
• cornering
• abducting
• rending
• wresting
• baying
• entrapping
• ensnaring
• haltering
• fisting
• entangling
• fastening (on)
• latching (on or onto)
• meshing
• enmeshing
• spiriting (away or off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• missing
• releasing
• discharging
• freeing
• dropping
• liberating
• loosening
• unhanding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of snatching

Noun

An informant would tell them the attack was rooted in a chain-snatching at the Lakewood Mall two months earlier. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Many Londoners have firsthand experience of phone-snatching or have witnessed a surge in shoplifting and subway fare-dodging. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

Over the years, several polls have been marred by voter intimidation, the snatching of ballot boxes, and post-election violence. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 6 July 2026

Former Kansas City Councilwoman Joanne Collins was 89 when she was dragged to the ground during a March 2025 purse snatching. — Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

Schuman now faces a felony count of robbery by sudden snatching in addition to three misdemeanors — one count of battery, one count of petit theft and one count of criminal mischief, court records show. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026

His co-defendant Cristian Montecino-Sanzana pleaded guilty to two counts related to one of the three thefts that Bustamante Leiva admitted — an April 12 purse-snatching at a Nando's restaurant. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

Many Londoners have firsthand experience of phone-snatching or have witnessed the surge in shoplifting documented by the Office for National Statistics. — CNN Money, 13 Jan. 2026

Reactions from Moscow and Beijing to Maduro’s snatching have varied. — Comfort Ero, Time, 9 Jan. 2026

Verb

Lately Becker has been snatching up vintage Lalique pieces that, in this setting, have the frosty haze of sea glass. — Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026

Surveillance footage shows Ruis snatching the $275 bauble, which was attached to a $3,500 Alo Odyssey duffel bag, and wrapping it in a tissue before stuffing it into his pocket, according to a criminal complaint and law enforcement sources. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

And customers are still eating it up, showing up and snatching them up almost as quickly as Trader Joe's can stock them. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Google is snatching up more office space in the South Florida metropolis, just as its cofounders are buying million-dollar mansions right on the waterfront. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 22 July 2026

Scylla pounces, snatching members of the crew between her jaws. — Chris Moody, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Kane spent more than a decade plugging away, loyally, at his first club, Tottenham Hotspur, a perpetual Premier League bridesmaid (or worse) whose name has become a byword for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 14 July 2026

In the end, Seattle outmaneuvered and outbodied the Sparks, snatching steals and flipping the ball around the perimeter until the Storm fired off a shot. — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Heim, the 2024 truck series champion who will move full time into Cup next season with 23XI Racing, led the final three laps after snatching first from teammate Tyler Reddick. — ABC News, 21 June 2026