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
• snarlingly adverb
• snarly adjective
• snarling adjective

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 boss, played by Alec Baldwin, snarls out the “prizes,” making clear nobody wants to get third place.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which Le Monde has previously reported could be used to snarl the propellers of the boats.

Read more on BBC

"It's not just Hawkins that feels cut off from the world. It's Stranger Things itself, a show now sealed in an airless, impenetrable bubble of stagnant characters and snarled lore."

Read more on BBC

Airports in the Midwest saw a decline in commerce as travel snarls kept travelers away.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This Thanksgiving holiday travel period is expected to be the busiest in 15 years, federal officials said, as Americans brush off the recent government shutdown that snarled air travel across the country.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bark 
• growl 
• mutter