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

Authorities said the incident might snarl traffic in the downtown area by West College, Alpine and Yale streets.

From Los Angeles Times

Barely concealing a snarl, Vance says what makes him "smile" is "bogus questions from the media, man."

From Salon

“Secrets from generations ago sank far into the earth where truth and lies tangled in a polluted snarl.”

From Los Angeles Times

The shutdown could also snarl commuter transit in major Canadian cities like Toronto or Montreal as some dispatchers will be on a work stoppage.

From BBC

The way Roan performed it Sunday — breathy and yearning yet with a faint snarl — it was all of those.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bark
• growl
• mutter