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

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

Manipulation, threats, acts of physical and psychological violence (to oneself and others), as well as actual body snatching, were all part of Cipher’s brand while Linklater embodied Gen V’s season two big bad. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025

While millions are riveted by Sunday’s seven-minute jewelry heist of Napoleonic jewels at the Louvre, another major sizable snatching, the 1990 break-in at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, resurfaced in the news in a different way. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025

Verb

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

Two balls, two strikes and the Vibe on the verge of snatching back some momentum. — Latif Love june 18, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026

Qatar trailed for more than 70 minutes against Switzerland before snatching its draw with a 94th-minute goal from Miro Muheim. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 18 June 2026

Hart willingly did the dirty work, snatching up rebounds rather than points. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 June 2026

She was booked and charged with two counts of battery, robbery by snatching and criminal mischief. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

Five people were arrested last week after a months-long investigation into a series of chain-snatching robberies in San Francisco, police said on Wednesday. — Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 27 May 2026

All four keep impatiently cutting each other off, snatching the phone back and forth. — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 19 May 2026