snare

¹

[ snair ]

noun

1. a device, often consisting of a noose, for capturing small game.
2. anything serving to entrap or entangle unawares; trap.

   Synonyms: pitfall, net

3. Surgery. a wire noose for removing tumors or the like by the roots or at the base.

verb (used with object)

, snared, snar·ing.

1. to catch with a snare; entangle.
2. to catch or involve by trickery or wile:

   to snare her into going.

snare

²

[ snair ]

noun

1. one of the strings of gut or of tightly spiraled metal stretched across the skin of a snare drum.

snare

¹

/ snɛə /

noun

1. a device for trapping birds or small animals, esp a flexible loop that is drawn tight around the prey
2. a surgical instrument for removing certain tumours, consisting of a wire loop that may be drawn tight around their base to sever or uproot them
3. anything that traps or entangles someone or something unawares

verb

1. to catch (birds or small animals) with a snare
2. to catch or trap in or as if in a snare; capture by trickery

snare

²

/ snɛə /

noun

1. music a set of gut strings wound with wire fitted against the lower drumhead of a snare drum. They produce a rattling sound when the drum is beaten See snare drum

Derived Forms

• ˈsnarer, noun
• ˈsnareless, adjective

Other Words From

• snareless adjective
• snarer noun
• snaring·ly adverb
• un·snared adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of snare¹

First recorded before 1100; Middle English (noun and verb); cognate with Old Norse snara, Middle Low German snare, Old High German snar(a)ha

Origin of snare²

1680–90; < Middle Low German snare or Middle Dutch snaer string; replacing Old English snēr string of a musical instrument

Word History and Origins

Origin of snare¹

Old English sneare, from Old Norse snara; related to Old High German snaraha

Origin of snare²

C17: from Middle Dutch snaer or Middle Low German snare string; related to Gothic snōrjō basket

Synonym Study

See trap ¹.

Example Sentences

Reggie Smith hit a hard grounder down the line that Nettles snared and threw to first to get Smith.

From Los Angeles Times

Forbes reported that Swift — who became a billionaire in October 2023 — snared the top spot because of her earnings from her blockbuster Eras tour and the value of her catalog.

From Los Angeles Times

“Breaking Bad” and Ghostbusters” fans will snare a look at vehicles used in productions.

From Los Angeles Times

She believes that, every day, “innocent victims seeking support are snared” by the forum, “unimpeded by the authorities”.

From BBC

All such investigations, which also involve MI5, must balance the benefit of quickly arresting and charging members of a network, with allowing more time to snare leaders and uncover more deeply hidden plans.

From BBC