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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of snatching
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
But the chick-snatching wasn't all terror and crib robbery, Parker stressed.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Even snatching several of the top drug lords wouldn’t necessarily cripple a trade worth billions of dollars a year.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Studios and FilmRise, both of which are owned by private equity group Oaktree Capital Management, has been snatching up digital rights to library programming to build up its already sizable catalog.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026
That’s institutional investors snatching up homes by the hundreds and thousands at a time, crushing the dream of home ownership, and forcing rents too damn high for everyone else.
—Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The back-to-back reigning champions and Diaz reportedly agreed to a deal that will get them the best closer on the market, snatching Diaz away from Steve Cohen and the New York Mets following a seven-year stay.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025
Brown is accused of snatching a handgun from a security official at a May boxing match in Miami and firing shots.
—Jenna West, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025
It was found that the frog was able to withstand not only the hornet's venom, but the physical pain inflicted by the sharp stinger as well, even to the point of having a stinger protrude through its mouth after snatching up the bug.
—New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2025
Keep going and the path climbs to the top of the arch, a high perch with breath-snatching panoramas.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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
But the chick-snatching wasn't all terror and crib robbery, Parker stressed.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
With a soul-stealing, heart-snatching smile.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Even snatching several of the top drug lords wouldn’t necessarily cripple a trade worth billions of dollars a year.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Studios and FilmRise, both of which are owned by private equity group Oaktree Capital Management, has been snatching up digital rights to library programming to build up its already sizable catalog.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026
That’s institutional investors snatching up homes by the hundreds and thousands at a time, crushing the dream of home ownership, and forcing rents too damn high for everyone else.
—Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The back-to-back reigning champions and Diaz reportedly agreed to a deal that will get them the best closer on the market, snatching Diaz away from Steve Cohen and the New York Mets following a seven-year stay.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025
Brown is accused of snatching a handgun from a security official at a May boxing match in Miami and firing shots.
—Jenna West, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025
It was found that the frog was able to withstand not only the hornet's venom, but the physical pain inflicted by the sharp stinger as well, even to the point of having a stinger protrude through its mouth after snatching up the bug.
—New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2025
Keep going and the path climbs to the top of the arch, a high perch with breath-snatching panoramas.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snatching
Noun
-
From 2018 to July 2024, Thola-Duran directed crime groups from Central and South America to travel to various parts of the United States to commit thefts, using cars provided by DPR, the indictment filed in Los Angeles federal court states.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The collective group posted a message on its Telegram channel in early January about the data theft.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Take after the actress by grabbing them in black, or choose from six additional colors, including burgundy and deep brown.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Healthy cooking often boils down to accessibility and convenience; busy lives can leave people grabbing less nutritious alternatives.—
Virginia Willis,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The deal is regarded as significant as Iglesias’ comedy catalogue was one of the most high-profile still up for grabs on the marketplace.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Wilson recorded 61 catches and a team-high six scores in 2023 as a true freshman, but managed just 19 grabs and one score after a hip injury ended his 2024 season.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Before catching the ball, Siakam set a screen for Andrew Nembhard in a pick-and-roll.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Furthermore, the zeitgeist-catching hockey drama Heated Rivalry will launch exclusively in each market.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But seizing current oil production is one thing; overhauling Venezuela's entire oil industry would be another.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Trump has occasionally discussed seizing Greenland since his first term but few initially took his threats seriously.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snatching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatching. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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