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

Phone snatching is a major threat in Brazil and in many other places around the world, including London and Barcelona. — Joel Balsam, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2026

During 2024, at the height of the phone snatching trend, there were 80,000 such offenses across London. — Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Marc Horowitz, 53, is charged with robbery by sudden snatching and domestic violence battery, records show. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

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

Verb

Not just college kids, but Others cheering for Texas’ football team and snatching up Texas’ degrees. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

London — Images of masked men riding along London's streets on mopeds or electric bikes and snatching phones straight out of the hand of unsuspecting tourists and locals have gone viral in recent years. — Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

As Madrid has grown into a tourist hot spot, foreign visitors are also snatching up his fans, which Llerandi notes are more reliable than their portable, electric counterparts. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

The first one from the 1980s saw an entity known as the Beyonder snatching heroes and villains from across realities to duke it out on a Hunger Games-style planet called Battleworld. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026

CEOs have been warning professionals that AI won’t take their jobs—it’ll actually be their tech-savvy coworkers snatching up opportunities. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

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