1
a(1)
: a contrivance often consisting of a noose for entangling birds or mammals
(2)
b(1)
: something by which one is entangled, involved in difficulties, or impeded
(2)
: something deceptively attractive
2
[probably from Dutch snaar, literally, cord; akin to Old High German snuor]
a
: one of the catgut strings or metal spirals of a snare drum
b
3
: a surgical instrument consisting usually of a wire loop constricted by a mechanism in the handle and used for removing tissue masses (such as tonsils)
snared; snaring
1
a
: to capture by or as if by use of a snare
b
: to win or attain by artful or skillful maneuvers
2
: to entangle or hold as if in a snare
any object that snared his eye—
Current Biography
Current Biography
snarer
noun
Examples of snare in a Sentence
Noun
people caught in the snare of drug addiction
you fell for my clever snare, you fool!
Verb
They caught fish and snared seabirds.
Unfortunately, the nets also snare turtles.
They snared first place in the contest.
trying to snare business from competitors
The shortstop snared a high throw from the outfield.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 22 Oct. 2025
Unfortunately, during his journey, Vasi encountered a wire snare trap, which ended up clamped around his back leg in September 2019.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
At least Cochrane was familiar with the feeling of snaring an interception.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for snare
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
LaFreniere said the bear had just about worked its way out of the snare, with the cable loop barely holding the bruin by a claw.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 22 Oct. 2025
Unfortunately, during his journey, Vasi encountered a wire snare trap, which ended up clamped around his back leg in September 2019.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
Jaylen Waddle made five receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown, while De’Von Achane, Ollie Gordon, and Malik Washington also snared TD catches.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
At least Cochrane was familiar with the feeling of snaring an interception.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for snare
Cite this Entry
“Snare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snare. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
snare
1 of 2 noun
ˈsna(ə)r 
ˈsne(ə)r
1
a
: a trap often consisting of a noose for catching small animals or birds
b
: something by which one is entangled, trapped, or deceived
2
: one of the catgut strings or metal spirals stretched across the bottom of a snare drum
snare
2 of 2 verb
snared; snaring
1
: to capture or entangle by or as if by use of a snare
2
: to win by skillful or deceptive measures
snarer
noun
Medical Definition
snare
noun
: a surgical instrument consisting usually of a wire loop constricted by a mechanism in the handle and used for removing tissue masses (as tonsils or polyps)
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