SNARE Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'snare' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of snare are bag , capture , catch , ensnare , entrap , and trap . While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," 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

Q: When is 'bag' a more appropriate choice than 'snare'?

In some situations, the words bag and snare are roughly equivalent. However, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey. // bagged a brace of pheasants

Q: When is it sensible to use 'capture' instead of 'snare'?

Although the words capture and snare have much in common, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty. // capture an enemy stronghold

Q: When would 'catch' be a good substitute for 'snare'?

The synonyms catch and snare are sometimes interchangeable, but catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding. // caught the dog as it ran by

Q: How are the words 'entrap' and 'ensnare' related as synonyms of 'snare'?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative. // entrapped the witness with a trick question // a sting operation that ensnared burglars

snare 1 of 2

noun

ˈsner

Definition of snare

as in trap

a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise you fell for my clever snare, you fool!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in tangle

something that catches and holds someday you'll find that your lies are a snare from which you can't escape

Synonyms & Similar Words

snare

2 of 2

verb

as in to trap

to catch or hold as if in a net easily distracted by any bright object that snared his eye

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grab

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly campers trying to snare brook trout for supper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb snare contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of snare are bag, capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," 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

When is bag a more appropriate choice than snare?

In some situations, the words bag and snare are roughly equivalent. However, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is it sensible to use capture instead of snare?

Although the words capture and snare have much in common, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When would catch be a good substitute for snare?

The synonyms catch and snare are sometimes interchangeable, but catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How are the words entrap and ensnare related as synonyms of snare?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question

a sting operation that ensnared burglars

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of snare

Noun

On the final note, when the sticks hit the snare for the last time, Ryan dove on top of the crowd. — Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026 The team covers 6 to 12 miles a day on foot, tracking poachers and their snares. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026

Verb

Dropping it onto likely pools without snaring the riverside vegetation required maximum focus. — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2026 With two outs and the bases loaded, Francisco Lindor snared a line drive by David Hamilton to keep the game tied. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for snare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for snare

Noun

The hacker set a trap designed to lure the impostor into claiming more Bitcoin.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
The personalization trap The core of the problem is that Google wants its products and services to talk to each other.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of trap

Noun

The shampoo didn’t strip the tester’s already-dry hair, and a two-minute conditioner left her tangles smooth enough to finger-comb.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
The double-deck Wacker Drive obliterated a tangle of buildings and produce stalls in favor of a broad Beaux Arts thoroughfare by the Chicago River.

— Robert Loerzel, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of tangle

Verb

Finally, grab 32% off the Eufy E340 Security Video Doorbell with Chime, providing dual 2K cameras and color night vision.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
James scored 18 points, grabbed two rebounds and was a minus-22 going up against Paul Reed, and the 76ers were left to hope his presence at center was nothing more than a cameo.

— Dan Gelston, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of grab

Noun

The soldiers, aviation technicians with the Salvandoran army, were victims of a gang ambush on Sunday in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, east of Port-au-Prince, while on their way back to camp after visiting a local supermarket.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Using that information to inform computer models, the scientists found that mosasaurs were skilled ambush predators built for a quick sneak attack.

— October 16, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambush

Noun

In this equally spare short, another CGI boy hangs in a woodshed from a noose.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
Like ballplayers just before the pitch, animal control crouched into position, with thick metal grabbers, nooses, and nets at the ready.

— Zachary Przystup, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of noose

Verb

SpaceX's confidence in its ability to catch both the Super Heavy and Ship stages has been building this year, following three launches so far in 2026.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
In Minor Black Figures, Taylor casts a sharp gaze on the New York art scene through the eyes of Wyeth, a young Black painter caught in the throes of creative struggle.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of catch

Noun

Kinder Morgan operates a dominant, interconnected web of steel pipelines that links oversupplied shale basins directly to major demand centers and Gulf Coast export complexes.

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
The full 12-company delegation spans original story IP in drama, film, animation and web novels, as well as generative AI, interactive entertainment and fan platforms.

— Deadline, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of web

Verb

The footage shows a coyote getting some serious air in order to snatch a pear off a tree.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Wait for the rows in front of you to get up and head to the exit, rather than scrambling to snatch your items from the overhead bins and just crowding the aisle.

— Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of snatch

Browse Nearby Words

snap (up)

snare

snared

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Snare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snare. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of snare

noun

verb

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