snarl

¹ American  

[snahrl] / snɑrl /

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.

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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 American  

[snahrl] / snɑrl /

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.

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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 British  

/ snɑːl /

noun

1. a tangled mass of thread, hair, etc

2. a complicated or confused state or situation

3. a knot in wood

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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

snarl ² British  

/ snɑːl /

verb

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

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

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noun

1. a vicious growl, utterance, or facial expression

2. the act of snarling

Other Word Forms

• snarler noun
• snarling adjective
• snarlingly adverb
• snarly adjective

Etymology

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

Explanation

To snarl or make a snarl is to growl like an angry dog or speak abruptly and aggressively. A snarl can also be something tangled or confused. If you've ever heard a dog growl, then you know what a snarl is: a dog's snarl says, "Back off!" When people snarl, they speak in an angry way that isn't shouting but sounds mean. A human snarl is abrupt, sharp, and unfriendly. Another sense of the word is when something gets mixed up, like if wires get tangled together: that tangle is called a snarl. This meaning comes from the earliest use of snarl, "a snare or a noose."

Example Sentences

Demonstrators, many organising online outside of formal representative bodies, have also used convoys on motorways to snarl traffic and tractors to gridlock central Dublin on occasions.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

A sprawling winter storm that battered southern, central and eastern U.S. states with heavy snow and frigid temperatures over the weekend has left several people dead and continued to snarl air travel and power grids.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

He loved to say it on the stump with his trademark snarl and jabbing finger.

From Salon • Dec. 11, 2025

And on this occasion it was shared by Spurs fans who have occasionally delivered a snarl here this season.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025

“Just ’cause your mom doesn’t want you anymore doesn’t mean you get to call me a baby,” I snarl.

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins

Related Words

• bark
• growl
• mutter