snarl 1 of 3

Definition of snarlnext
as in to bark
to speak sharply or irritably she snarled at me after I kept badgering her with questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

snarl

3 of 3

noun

as in jam
a crowded mass (as of cars) that impedes or blocks movement to no avail, the city promotes carpooling to help ease the traffic snarls that always accompany rush hour

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of snarl
Verb
The superload is expected to snarl traffic for the next four months as 50 loads will make the trip. — Jessica Riley, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 The hourslong closure snarled the morning commute into Sacramento, shutting down westbound Highway 50 between Hazel Avenue and Sunrise Boulevard. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
Someone like Mason Marchment — who can score and play with snarl — could be a multi-year option, but giving out long-term deals to free agents in their 30s is risky, especially considering the current state of the Rangers. — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 29 June 2026 Multiple inbound lanes are blocked as a result, causing a massive traffic snarl and backup. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for snarl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snarl
Verb
  • Rubber-bullet shooters and a barking K-9 unit trailed behind.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The golden doodles would always bark when someone approached the house, said Ashley’s father, Todd Smith.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • There weren’t many in Saturday’s lockdown defensive effort, but Grade-A scoring opportunities still emerged, the most dangerous arriving midway through the final period, with the score knotted 1-1.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The match entered the break knotted at 1-1 before the two sides traded goals just six minutes into the second half.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Despite this informal, jam-forward approach, however, Silk Fence appear to be chasing something; an understated but steady coherence gives direction to even their most wandering moments.
    — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Last month, at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival in Western North Carolina, MGU rolled through an hour-long set of new material from Appalachian Smoke and intricate improvisational jams.
    — Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The interiors, meanwhile, never shout but still seem to wow with luxe Mediterranean touches and tasteful art.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • News of their separation had been made public earlier this year when LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans for two charges of simple battery where he was eventually given probation despite allegedly also harassing locals and shouting homophobic slurs.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The fisherman and the shark apparently tangled when the man tried to release the fish.
    — Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Late in the fourth quarter, Wilson and Cunningham became tangled during a physical play.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Crowd congestion is certainly common around these parts, but can be escaped pretty easily and avoided entirely if guests make use of their location to visit these sites early in the morning.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Where is aisle congestion forming before an incident report is ever filed?
    — Allan Malcolm, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Holmberg jumps in his vehicle and catches up to McConnell as Lafayette County deputy Kenneth Lewie holds McConnell at gunpoint and yells at him to get on the ground.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Someone reported that a man with blood on his pants was yelling for help, according to the 911 call sheet.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Set the scene The Homestead screams quirky, artful, and vintage yet restored—capturing a whimsical, fairytale ambiance embellished with hints of Southern charm.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In reviewing the body camera footage, police found that the child was standing on the stairwell at one point and was screaming while holding her left arm up in the air, according to the warrant affidavit.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snarl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snarl. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster