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

Also called devil's snare, the plant's seeds, roots, stems, and leaves are all dangerous if ingested. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 22 June 2026 So, bringing the expressive pads allowed people to experiment with making music by sliding their fingers across them, putting a snare in the middle and a rim shot around the edges. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 30 June 2026

Verb

Telemundo snared those rights away from Univision in 2023. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 May 2026 First baseman Michael Busch finished the play by reaching out and snaring Hoerner’s dazzling throw to complete the highlight and nab the speedy Salazar for the out. — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for snare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for snare

Noun

The heat wave is making a bad air-quality situation worse as a high-pressure system traps soot and fine particles close to the ground instead of dispersing them.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The safety car came out to allow the Red Bull to be recovered from the gravel trap it was parked in.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026

Definition of trap

Noun

They’re immediately pulled into a tangle of police reports, hospital notifications, insurance calls, and legal questions that can feel impossible to sort through while grieving.

— William Jones, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026
Richie Laryea for Canada burst into the box in a good position but was brought to ground amid a tangle of legs with South Africa’s Khuliso Mudau.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 28 June 2026

Definition of tangle

Verb

Schieffelin, who played football last season because had used up his basketball eligibility, used his bulky frame to grab eight rebounds on an 11-point night.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Once the excitement had died down, the team gathered in a circle and a player went up to Haaland, grabbed the back of his neck and kissed his cheek.

— Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026

Definition of grab

Noun

Dallas Police Association President Sean Pease says as Dallas prepares to honor the five officers killed in the July 7, 2016, ambush, City Hall should also remember the officers and employees still serving.

— Erin Jones, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Require early disclosure of proposals and nominations, which kills the ambush.

— Kyle Westaway, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of ambush

Verb

One villager had been bitten and is being treated in hospital, while a dozen locals had formed a team to catch the snakes, the Hongxing report said.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
But the rally ended when Hernández’s liner up the middle landed in the glove of Rockies right-hander Jimmy Herget, who just entered the game, catching Kyle Tucker off first base for a double play.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of catch

Noun

Dark web markets are shrouded in secrecy, but admins of dark web marketplaces have been identified by law enforcement and arrested before.

— Tim McNicholas, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Note that the Username button will only appear on your primary mobile device, and not on the WhatsApp web or desktop app.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026

Definition of web

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
An estimated 20 objects were snatched from the institution, in a country still reeling from the dramatic theft of its crown jewels from the Louvre in October.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of snatch

Browse Nearby Words

snap (up)

snare

snared

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“Snare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snare. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of snare

noun

verb

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