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

Example Sentences

“When I tried to say hello, she looked truly alarmed. There was no snarling or slashing or stabbing. But there was fear in her eyes. I think she’s shy.”

From Literature

The miller and all his sons were in the crowd, and they bumped and shoved more than anyone, snarling to get the coins.

From Literature

In early January, a communications blackout at Athens International Airport snarled flights for hours, when multiple radio frequencies serving Athens airspace were hit by continuous "noise" interference.

From Barron's

A major winter storm has snarled air travel from Maryland to Maine, with forecasts calling for blizzard conditions that could dump heavy snow and create impossible travel conditions.

From Barron's

He thought about snarling, Of course you are.

From Literature

Related Words

• bark
• growl
• mutter