snarl

[ snahrl ]

/ snɑrl /

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See synonyms for: snarl / snarled / snarling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to growl threateningly or viciously, especially with a raised upper lip to bare the teeth, as a dog.

to speak in a surly or threatening manner suggestive of a dog's snarl.

verb (used with object)

to say by snarling: to snarl a threat.

noun

the act of snarling.

a snarling sound or utterance.

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Origin of snarl

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, nounsnarl·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby snarl

snare, snare drum, snarf, snark, snarky, snarl, snarler, snarl-up, snarly, snash, snatch

Other definitions for snarl (2 of 2)

snarl²

[ snahrl ]

/ snɑrl /

noun

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

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

a knot in wood.

verb (used with object)

to bring into a tangled condition, as thread or hair.

to render complicated or confused: The questions snarled him up.

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)

to become tangled; get into a tangle.

Origin of snarl

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. 2023

How to use snarl in a sentence

Pandemic-induced supply chain snarls have brought attention to ship emissions near ports, although the problem has existed for decades.
How floating power ports could help cargo ships cut their air pollution|Erik Olsen|January 28, 2022|Popular-Science
Extreme weather and supply-chain snarls are among the reasons for shortages in grocery stores.
Unvaccinated truckers are making Canada’s vegetable shortage worse|Michelle Cheng|January 19, 2022|Quartz
Each night, after he conditions his hair and gets into his pajamas, either my husband or I work out the snarls with a wide-toothed comb.
My Son Knows Exactly How He'll Mark the Occasion of Getting His COVID-19 Vaccine|Vanessa Hua|November 3, 2021|Time
With global supply lines in an epic snarl, it can take him five hours to enter a Chicago-area rail yard, locate a customer’s shipping container and mount it on a truck chassis before hauling it to its destination.
Inside America’s Broken Supply Chain|David J. Lynch|September 30, 2021|Washington Post

As of Thursday evening, there were hundreds of ships carrying commodities and consumer goods lined up behind the snarl.
How That Massive Container Ship Stuck in the Suez Canal Is Already Costing the World Billions of Dollars|Joseph Hincks|March 25, 2021|Time
Alastair Sim had jowls like melting candle wax, a snarl like a cornered cat and eyes cold with contempt.
How Dickens and Scrooge Saved Christmas|Clive Irving|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And conservatives in Nevada are looking for the kind of snarl that the smiling Sandoval may not be able to deliver.
Could This Be the First Pro-Choice Republican on a National Ticket?|David Freedlander|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The delays would cause chaos and snarl traffic at checkpoints, frustrate orderly schedules, and make tempers short.
Iraqi Insurgents Circulate the Lie That They Killed the Judge in Saddam’s Trial|Michael Newton|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Happy Huckabee seems to be gone, the smile replaced by a snarl.
Happy Huckabee Gets Mad|David Freedlander|May 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His voice would morph from a melodic baritone to a deep, guttural snarl, grinding notes to a pulp.
Future Islands Frontman Samuel T. Herring on Their 11-Year Journey to Letterman and Viral Stardom|Marlow Stern|April 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“He hath told us already, Princess,” said the other, his harsh accents sounding more like the snarl of a wolf than a human voice.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
With a vicious snarl, the dog lifted his great body into the air and plunged toward the Comet.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
Now I don't want to snarl at the Cause—whatever it may be—but it isn't all beef-bones and country walks by any means.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, November 4, 1914|Various
The snarl was caused by pain, and the snap following removed the dangerous weapon from unsafe hands.
Minnie's Pet Dog|Madeline Leslie
Her face had tied itself into a snarl of knots, from which the kindly eyes looked angrily.
Country Neighbors|Alice Brown

British Dictionary definitions for snarl (1 of 2)

snarl¹

/ (snɑːl) /

verb

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

to speak or express (something) viciously or angrily

noun

a vicious growl, utterance, or facial expression

the act of snarling

Derived forms of snarl

snarling, adjectivesnarlingly, adverbsnarly, adjective

Word Origin for snarl

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

British Dictionary definitions for snarl (2 of 2)

snarl²

/ (snɑːl) /

noun

a tangled mass of thread, hair, etc

a complicated or confused state or situation

a knot in wood

verb

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

(tr often foll by up) to confuse mentally

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

Derived forms of snarl

snarler, nounsnarly, adjective

Word Origin for snarl

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

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

snarl

Origin of snarl

OTHER WORDS FROM snarl

Words nearby snarl

Other definitions for snarl (2 of 2)

Origin of snarl

Words related to snarl

How to use snarl in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for snarl (1 of 2)

Derived forms of snarl

Word Origin for snarl

British Dictionary definitions for snarl (2 of 2)

Derived forms of snarl

Word Origin for snarl