snarl

1
[ snahrl ]
See synonyms for: snarlsnarledsnarling on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of snarl

1
First recorded in 1580–90; equivalent to obsolete snar “to snarl” (cognate with Dutch, Low German snarren, German schnarren ) + -le

Other words from snarl

  • snarler, noun
  • snarl·ing·ly, adverb

Words Nearby snarl

Other definitions for snarl (2 of 2)

snarl2
[ snahrl ]

noun
  1. a tangle, as of thread, hair, or wire.

  2. a complicated or confused condition or matter: a traffic snarl.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

Origin of snarl

2
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English snarle “snare, trap”; see origin at snare1, -le

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use snarl in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for snarl (1 of 2)

snarl1

/ (snɑːl) /


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

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

noun
  1. a vicious growl, utterance, or facial expression

  2. the act of snarling

Origin of snarl

1
C16: of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German snarren, Middle Dutch snarren to drone

Derived forms of snarl

  • snarling, adjective
  • snarlingly, adverb
  • snarly, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for snarl (2 of 2)

snarl2

/ (snɑːl) /


noun
  1. a tangled mass of thread, hair, etc

  2. a complicated or confused state or situation

  1. a knot in wood

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

  2. (tr often foll by up) to confuse mentally

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

Origin of snarl

2
C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Swedish snarel noose, Old Norse snara snare 1

Derived 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