snarl

¹

[snahrl]

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.

snarl

²

[snahrl]

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.

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

/ snɑːl /

noun

1. a tangled mass of thread, hair, etc

2. a complicated or confused state or situation

3. a knot in wood

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of snarl¹

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

Origin of snarl²

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

Example Sentences

The impasse has already snarled travel, delayed government approvals for permits and loans and shuttered some museums.

Read more on BBC

The snarls of a horse and hoof beats swirl into the performance’s closing song, “Pink Pony Club,” written by Roan about a young queer woman’s experience at a West Hollywood gay club.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

To many, the Bellamy stood on the Wembley touchline will seem a different person to the snarling player of the past.

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For a dramatically stripped-bare version of Paparazzi, she's on crutches, snarling at photographers, but soaking up the public's adoration until it frees her to walk unaided.

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When writing and performing with the group, she’ll sometimes turn her nationally delicate voice into a snarl or a howl — resisting any temptation to ever let it all get too sweet.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bark 
• growl 
• mutter