snarl
1to growl threateningly or viciously, especially with a raised upper lip to bare the teeth, as a dog.
to speak in a surly or threatening manner suggestive of a dog's snarl.
to say by snarling: to snarl a threat.
the act of snarling.
a snarling sound or utterance.
Origin of snarl
1Other words from snarl
- snarler, noun
- snarl·ing·ly, adverb
Words Nearby snarl
Other definitions for snarl (2 of 2)
a tangle, as of thread, hair, or wire.
a complicated or confused condition or matter: a traffic snarl.
a knot in wood.
to bring into a tangled condition, as thread or hair.
to render complicated or confused: The questions snarled him up.
to raise or emboss, as parts of a thin metal vessel, by hammering on a tool (snarling iron ) held against the inner surface of the vessel.
to become tangled; get into a tangle.
Origin of snarl
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use snarl in a sentence
Pandemic-induced supply chain snarls have brought attention to ship emissions near ports, although the problem has existed for decades.
How floating power ports could help cargo ships cut their air pollution | Erik Olsen | January 28, 2022 | Popular-ScienceExtreme weather and supply-chain snarls are among the reasons for shortages in grocery stores.
Unvaccinated truckers are making Canada’s vegetable shortage worse | Michelle Cheng | January 19, 2022 | QuartzEach night, after he conditions his hair and gets into his pajamas, either my husband or I work out the snarls with a wide-toothed comb.
My Son Knows Exactly How He'll Mark the Occasion of Getting His COVID-19 Vaccine | Vanessa Hua | November 3, 2021 | TimeWith global supply lines in an epic snarl, it can take him five hours to enter a Chicago-area rail yard, locate a customer’s shipping container and mount it on a truck chassis before hauling it to its destination.
As of Thursday evening, there were hundreds of ships carrying commodities and consumer goods lined up behind the snarl.
How That Massive Container Ship Stuck in the Suez Canal Is Already Costing the World Billions of Dollars | Joseph Hincks | March 25, 2021 | Time
Alastair Sim had jowls like melting candle wax, a snarl like a cornered cat and eyes cold with contempt.
And conservatives in Nevada are looking for the kind of snarl that the smiling Sandoval may not be able to deliver.
Could This Be the First Pro-Choice Republican on a National Ticket? | David Freedlander | November 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe delays would cause chaos and snarl traffic at checkpoints, frustrate orderly schedules, and make tempers short.
Iraqi Insurgents Circulate the Lie That They Killed the Judge in Saddam’s Trial | Michael Newton | June 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHappy Huckabee seems to be gone, the smile replaced by a snarl.
His voice would morph from a melodic baritone to a deep, guttural snarl, grinding notes to a pulp.
Future Islands Frontman Samuel T. Herring on Their 11-Year Journey to Letterman and Viral Stardom | Marlow Stern | April 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“He hath told us already, Princess,” said the other, his harsh accents sounding more like the snarl of a wolf than a human voice.
The Red Year | Louis TracyWith a vicious snarl, the dog lifted his great body into the air and plunged toward the Comet.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run | Stanley R. MatthewsNow I don't want to snarl at the Cause—whatever it may be—but it isn't all beef-bones and country walks by any means.
The snarl was caused by pain, and the snap following removed the dangerous weapon from unsafe hands.
Minnie's Pet Dog | Madeline LeslieHer face had tied itself into a snarl of knots, from which the kindly eyes looked angrily.
Country Neighbors | Alice Brown
British Dictionary definitions for snarl (1 of 2)
/ (snɑːl) /
(intr) (of an animal) to growl viciously, baring the teeth
to speak or express (something) viciously or angrily
a vicious growl, utterance, or facial expression
the act of snarling
Origin of snarl
1Derived forms of snarl
- snarling, adjective
- snarlingly, adverb
- snarly, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for snarl (2 of 2)
/ (snɑːl) /
a tangled mass of thread, hair, etc
a complicated or confused state or situation
a knot in wood
(often foll by up) to be, become, or make tangled or complicated
(tr often foll by up) to confuse mentally
(tr) to flute or emboss (metal) by hammering on a tool held against the under surface
Origin of snarl
2Derived forms of snarl
- snarler, noun
- snarly, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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