snatches 1 of 2

noun

plural of snatch, slang
as in rapes
the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal to the police chief, it didn't look like a snatch, but another case of a bride-to-be getting cold feet

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snatches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of snatch
as in grabs
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

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 snatches
Noun
And so, the film’s spartan spell is undone by snatches of pedestrian drama and goofy, surreal symbolism. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2025 The major achievement of Ozon’s film is to adapt literature without literalizing (there are just two snatches of narration that are directly lifted from source), and to honor the novel’s mystery without trying to solve it. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025 The three compressions are Spanxsmooth Swim, which is light compression for barely there smoothing; Spanxshape Swim, medium compression for a little more tummy control and shaping, and Spanxsculpt Swim, strong compression that cinches and snatches. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Roger snatches the boy up and runs through the chaos toward the infirmary. — Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026 Scylla snatches up six of his men, but the rest make it to Thrinacia. — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 June 2026 Every time that second title looks close, something happens that snatches the dream away. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 June 2026 These picks start at $11 and range from a one-piece swimsuit that snatches your waist to an everyday pair of wide-leg jeans and this summer-friendly tank top. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 When the Mafia snatches her anyway, his PTSD returns and launches him on a dark path to vengeance. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026 This dooms the kingdom to the tyrannical rule of the villainous Priscilla (Nikki Glaser), who swoops in and snatches the throne. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 23 June 2026 In the midst of handing the job over to his son, even as Diego is making a speech about water supplies, hygiene and education, Don Alejandro snatches it back to cheers, clutches his heart and dies. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 Dubbed the Velvet Gang, the trio snatches the overpriced, often monochromatic fashion threads designed by Christie Smith (Demi Moore, in a performance of comedic genius), a pretentious piece of work who stations herself in a leaning building (wink, win to San Francisco there). — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snatches
  1. rapes
  2. grabs
  3. abductions
  4. catches
  5. kidnappings
  6. seizes
  7. captures
Noun
  • Campus crime data also show the university has recorded more than 100 reported rapes between 2022 and 2024, according to its Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • The statute of limitations on these rapes expired decades ago.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
Definition of rapes
Verb
  • Once inside, she’s confronted by Tommy (James Eddie), who stupidly grabs her to escort her out.
    — William Earl, Variety, 2 July 2026
  • When forecasters warn about a heat wave, the number that grabs headlines is the daytime high.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of grabs
Noun
  • In the past, it's been falsely linked with everything from hurricanes to floods, wildfires and alien abductions.
    — Emma Woollacott, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Richard kept newspaper clippings about their abductions in a locker in his apartment, and authorities later found both fingerprint and DNA evidence connecting him to the crimes, The Washington Post reported.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
Definition of abductions
Verb
  • Kessler catches an empty side screen involving Anfernee Simons and calmly plays in drop, backpedals smoothly, slides laterally for a stride, opens his hips and tricks Simons to shoot before swatting it away with his left hand.
    — Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Any successful catches need to be killed humanely following strict state guidelines, as well as accurately documented.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
Definition of catches
Noun
  • In 2025, 1,268 kidnappings were reported, a nearly 40% drop from the 2,058 kidnapping reported the previous year, the report stated.
    — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
  • In the '30s, when the Lindbergh baby was abducted, kidnappings and ransoms were so common that high-profile people often secured kidnapping insurance.
    — Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of kidnappings
Verb
  • Trump seizes America’s 250th-birthday spotlight, headlining the Great American State Fair, hosting a UFC bout at the White House and promoting new passports, $250 bills and coins bearing his image.
    — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
  • Ellie brings up the salad and seizes the opportunity to take credit for her part in making lunch.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 May 2026
Definition of seizes
Verb
  • This $20 style captures that same vibe, and shoppers are all in.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • Without a cohesive system that captures user data, builds robust retargeting pools, and systematically moves audiences toward action, that engagement quickly dissipates.
    — Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of captures

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Cite this Entry

“Snatches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatches. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of snatches for Spanish Speakers

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