snarl

¹

[ snahrl ]

verb (used without object)

1. to growl threateningly or viciously, especially with a raised upper lip to bare the teeth, as a dog.
2. to speak in a surly or threatening manner suggestive of a dog's snarl.

verb (used with object)

1. to say by snarling:

   to snarl a threat.

noun

1. the act of snarling.
2. a snarling sound or utterance.

snarl

²

[ snahrl ]

noun

1. a tangle, as of thread, hair, or wire.
2. a complicated or confused condition or matter:

   a traffic snarl.

3. a knot in wood.

verb (used with object)

1. to bring into a tangled condition, as thread or hair.
2. to render complicated or confused:

   The questions snarled him up.

3. to raise or emboss, as parts of a thin metal vessel, by hammering on a tool snarling iron held against the inner surface of the vessel.

verb (used without object)

1. to become tangled; get into a tangle.

snarl

¹

/ snɑːl /

verb

1. intr (of an animal) to growl viciously, baring the teeth
2. to speak or express (something) viciously or angrily

noun

1. a vicious growl, utterance, or facial expression
2. the act of snarling

snarl

²

/ snɑːl /

noun

1. a tangled mass of thread, hair, etc
2. a complicated or confused state or situation
3. a knot in wood

verb

1. often foll by up to be, become, or make tangled or complicated
2. troften foll byup to confuse mentally
3. tr to flute or emboss (metal) by hammering on a tool held against the under surface

Derived Forms

• ˈsnarling, adjective
• ˈsnarlingly, adverb
• ˈsnarly, adjective
• ˈsnarler, noun
• ˈsnarly, adjective

Other Words From

• snarler noun
• snarling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of snarl¹

First recorded in 1580–90; equivalent to obsolete snar “to snarl” (cognate with Dutch, Low German snarren, German schnarren ) + -le

Origin of snarl²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English snarle “snare, trap”; snare ¹, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of snarl¹

C16: of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German snarren, Middle Dutch snarren to drone

Origin of snarl²

C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Swedish snarel noose, Old Norse snara snare ¹

Example Sentences

In the meantime, traffic around the site on Cherry Avenue, sandwiched between the 10 and 210 freeways, has snarled.

From Los Angeles Times

A big rig overturned, sparking a fierce lithium-ion battery blaze that spewed toxic gases, snarled port traffic and resulted in what one official said was massive economic losses from delayed shipments.

From Los Angeles Times

Take Harris’ motorcade — the source of traffic snarls.

From Los Angeles Times

Between 25,000 and 30,000 people were expected at the rally, which snarled traffic to a standstill in the rural town of Butler for the entirety of Saturday.

From BBC

Dozens of ambulances crisscrossed Beirut’s streets bearing the wounded amid snarled traffic, while hospitals in the country’s south were inundated with casualties.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bark
• growl
• mutter