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View synonyms for

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 snarling iron held against the inner surface of the vessel.

verb (used without object)

  1. to become tangled; get into a tangle.

snarl

1

/ ɑː /

noun

  1. a tangled mass of thread, hair, etc

  2. a complicated or confused state or situation

  3. a knot in wood

“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

verb

  1. (often foll by up) to be, become, or make tangled or complicated

  2. to confuse mentally

  3. (tr) to flute or emboss (metal) by hammering on a tool held against the under surface

“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

snarl

2

/ ɑː /

verb

  1. (intr) (of an animal) to growl viciously, baring the teeth

  2. to speak or express (something) viciously or angrily

“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

noun

  1. a vicious growl, utterance, or facial expression

  2. the act of snarling

“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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Other Word Forms

  • snarler noun
  • snarlingly adverb
  • ˈԲ noun
  • ˈԲ adjective
  • ˈԲԲ adjective
  • ˈԲԲly adverb
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of snarl1

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

Origin of snarl2

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

The snarling Scots who bloodied the noses of Spain were nowhere to be seen.

From

“Don’t ever say what you said,” the commander in chief snarled before boasting about how he wasn’t a chicken and was actually a tough guy.

From

After a brutal spring of toxic algae blooms turning some sea lions into sick, snarling seaside hazards, anxious beachgoers can breathe a sigh of relief as experts say the worst of the poisoning is over.

From

The latest spasm of sectarian killings snarls the government’s all-out effort to move beyond the country’s 14-year civil war, which pitted Assad and his allies against a Sunni-dominated opposition comprising dozens of armed factions.

From

Honor shapes Ned's life, one that concludes with him confessing to a crime he didn’t commit before he’s beheaded for the enjoyment of snarling smallfolk he tried to protect.

From

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snarkyˈԲ