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, snaring 

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

Other Word Forms

• snareless adjective
• snarer noun
• snaringly adverb
• unsnared 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

The snare hit is one of the most iconic moments in pop history.

From Los Angeles Times

In her own roles, Qualley snares the viewer with a physical conviction so bold and confident that it’s difficult to look at any other actor when she’s in the frame.

From Salon

During Brink’s return against the Las Vegas Aces on July 29, she snared an offensive rebound and splashed a three-pointer within the first minute.

From Los Angeles Times

Seniors who forget what they have signed up for and can’t easily navigate online procedures and parents of young children who get snared into signing up for subscriptions tend to be the most common victims.

From Los Angeles Times

The teenage son, Leo, survived after he became snared in barbed wire, preventing him from being swept away.

From BBC

Related Words

• corral 
• enmesh 
• entangle 
• pull in 
• round up