1 snare | Definition of snare

snare

noun
\ ˈsner How to pronounce snare (audio) \

Definition of snare

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : a contrivance often consisting of a noose for entangling birds or mammals
(2) : trap, gin
b(1) : something by which one is entangled, involved in difficulties, or impeded
(2) : something deceptively attractive

2 [ probably from Dutch snaar, literally, cord; akin to Old High German snuor ]

a : one of the catgut strings or metal spirals of a snare drum
3 : a surgical instrument consisting usually of a wire loop constricted by a mechanism in the handle and used for removing tissue masses (such as tonsils)

snare

verb
snared; snaring

Definition of snare (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to capture by or as if by use of a snare
b : to win or attain by artful or skillful maneuvers
2 : to entangle or hold as if in a snare any object that snared his eyeCurrent Biography

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Other Words from snare

Verb

snarer noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for snare

Synonyms: Noun

ambush, net, trap, web

Synonyms: Verb

catch up, enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, ensnarl, entangle, entoil, entrap, mesh, net, tangle, trap

Antonyms: Verb

disentangle, untangle

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Choose the Right Synonym for snare

Verb

catch, capture, trap, snare, entrap, ensnare, bag mean to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing. catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding. caught the dog as it ran by capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty. capture an enemy stronghold trap, snare, entrap, ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing. trap animals snared butterflies with a net entrap and ensnare more often are figurative. entrapped the witness with a trick question a sting operation that ensnared burglars bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey. bagged a brace of pheasants

Examples of snare in a Sentence

Noun

people caught in the snare of drug addiction you fell for my clever snare, you fool!

Verb

They caught fish and snared seabirds. Unfortunately, the nets also snare turtles. They snared first place in the contest. trying to snare business from competitors The shortstop snared a high throw from the outfield.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Then, McMahon — flashing potential as Colorado’s long-term first baseman of the future — had a diving snare of Frazier’s grounder in the fourth to turn a would-be RBI single into an inning-ending out. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, "Pirates sweep Rockies as Jeff Hoffman’s strong start is wasted, Colorado falls to season-worst 20 games below .500," 1 Sep. 2019 The track is an old-school ballad with a booming snare, keys and a wholesome '60s vibe. Bonnie Stiernberg, Billboard, "Taylor Swift Releases 'Lover': Stream It Now," 16 Aug. 2019 Andrew moves to the toms, then back to the snare, then back. SI.com, "Arrigo Sacchi: The Game That Made the AC Milan Legend One of the Greatest Managers of All Time," 15 Aug. 2019 The attempt itself isn’t that bad; a one-handed snare of a sinking liner is a tough play no matter what. Jon Tayler, SI.com, "Wild-Card Contenders Are Content to Be Sellers, and That's a Problem," 23 July 2019 That meant retiring older rangers, training others in modern anti-poaching systems—such as using the latest animal tracking technology—and creating a canine team to help find poachers and detect snares. Benedict Moran, National Geographic, "Rwanda's war nearly destroyed this park. Now it's coming back.," 7 May 2019 Vaughan caught his snare pole around the animal's neck, taped its mouth shut and wrestled it into the back of his truck and home to his facility. Scottie Andrew And Paul P. Murphy, CNN, "This 463-pound alligator was removed from a Florida highway after it was struck by a semi-truck," 20 June 2019 During Victims in Ecstasy's set, their drummer broke a snare drum, and Bennington came to the rescue, offering his drummer's snare. Ed Masley, azcentral, "He took 10,000 photos of Chester Bennington. Now, his images are a traveling memorial," 18 June 2019 With no outs, Gonzalez made a sliding snare on a sinking Hamilton liner. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, "C.J. Cron, Twins pull through for third straight win," 15 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Melbourne quartet Tropical F**k Storm snare a second appearance on the national albums tally and a first top 10 with their sophomore set Braindrops (Flightless Records/Inertia), new at No. 10. Lars Brandle, Billboard, "Taylor Swift Blasts to No. 1 on Australia's Albums Chart With 'Lover'," 2 Sep. 2019 But the Rockets showed their championship mettle, charging back with two long drives to snare a 24-2l halftime lead. Jason Mcdaniel, ExpressNews.com, "Judson delivers a victory in Rodney Williams’ head coaching debut.," 31 Aug. 2019 But the Rockets showed their championship mettle, charging back with two long drives to snare a 24-2l halftime lead. Jason Mcdaniel, Houston Chronicle, "Converse Judson downs Clear Springs in coach Rodney Williams' debut," 31 Aug. 2019 Scammers will no doubt use the cash offers, even if they are ultimately reduced, to snare victims. Do not give anyone any money. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, "The Equifax settlement has already spawned deceptive websites," 2 Aug. 2019 Holding it down from behind an austere kit, tom and snare were her main weapons of choice, her kick used primarily for thump and bump. Kevin Williams, chicagotribune.com, "Pitchfork Music Fest 2019: What we loved and what we could do without on day 3," 21 July 2019 Magistrate snared in meth bust In Hamilton County, a special judge and prosecutor were named in March to oversee the criminal case of magistrate William Greenaway. Tim Evans, Indianapolis Star, "How crimes involving public officials are handled, from judges' shooting to Dan Forestal," 18 Aug. 2019 With none out in the top of the fourth, Rockies shortstop Trevor Story went acrobatic to his right, diving into the outfield grass to snare a grounder off the bat of Evan Longoria. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, "Kyle Freeland notches first win at Coors Field since April as Rockies top Giants," 4 Aug. 2019 Scammers will no doubt use the cash offers, even if they are ultimately reduced, to snare victims. Do not give anyone any money. Michelle Singletary, BostonGlobe.com, "The Equifax settlement has already spawned deceptive websites," 3 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'snare.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of snare

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for snare

Noun

Middle English, from Old English sneare, probably from Old Norse snara; akin to Old High German snuor cord and perhaps to Greek narkē numbness

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