snatched
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of snatched
First recorded in 1990–95; origin uncertain; possibly from regional American snatching “attractive” (1962); possibly from Black drag culture, where stage performers wear weaves (artificial hairweaves), and if something is amazingly good ( snatched ), it may snatch one's weave off, knock one's socks off (but the connection is unclear)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Instead, it’s a useful way to respond to clients who ask him why lots of smart investors haven’t snatched away all of the excess-return hacks that finance professors have identified.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
Sharpton says some legal residents he encountered around Cleveland feared being "snatched up and deported."
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
Hull's unbeaten start ended at Newcastle last time out but even then they almost snatched a point after going 2-0 down early on.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Most often, when she seems on the verge of acceptance, happiness is snatched back from her — a nasty game.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
She ran across the boat and snatched up the griffin, stuffing him down the inside of her sweater.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
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