SNATCH Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'snatch' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of snatch are clutch , grab , grasp , seize , and take . While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize . // snatched a doughnut and ran

Q: When is it sensible to use 'clutch' instead of 'snatch'?

The words clutch and snatch can be used in similar contexts, but clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding. // clutching her purse

Q: How are the words 'grab' and 'snatch' related?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch . // grabbed roughly by the arm

Q: When would 'grasp' be a good substitute for 'snatch'?

The words grasp and snatch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession. // grasp the handle and pull

Q: In what contexts can 'seize' take the place of 'snatch'?

While the synonyms seize and snatch are close in meaning, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible. // seized the suspect

Q: When can 'take' be used instead of 'snatch'?

The meanings of take and snatch largely overlap; however, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control. // take some salad from the bowl

snatch 1 of 2

verb

ˈsnach

Definition of snatch

as in to grab

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly the brazen seagull snatched the french fry right from my hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

snatch

2 of 2

noun

slang

as in abduction

the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal to the police chief, it didn't look like a snatch, but another case of a bride-to-be getting cold feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word snatch different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of snatch are clutch, grab, grasp, seize, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

When is it sensible to use clutch instead of snatch?

The words clutch and snatch can be used in similar contexts, but clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

How are the words grab and snatch related?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When would grasp be a good substitute for snatch?

The words grasp and snatch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

In what contexts can seize take the place of snatch?

While the synonyms seize and snatch are close in meaning, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

When can take be used instead of snatch?

The meanings of take and snatch largely overlap; however, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of snatch

Verb

In September 2025, thieves snatched three porcelain works worth millions of dollars and classed as national treasures in a heist at the Adrien Dubouche National Museum in Limoges in central France. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 The home side are coming off a dramatic game against Newcastle, where midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty in the dying moments of the game to level the score 2-2 and snatch a point for the Reds. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun

Emerson had a 290 in the clean-and-jerk and 235 in the snatch (525 total) in the 154-pound weight class. — Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026 With most large-scale national and world meets there are medals given for the heaviest snatch, heaviest clean and jerk and best overall total. — Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for snatch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for snatch

Verb

Mishka Wilonski had just grabbed pizza from a nearby shop and was walking outside with a friend when the crash happened.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Michael grabbed him, rushed out of the house, and blew through several red lights on the way to the hospital.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of grab

Verb

Salas, 20, should soon become the youngest player to catch a big-league game since Ivan Rodriguez debuted with the Texas Rangers in 1991.

— Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Fortunately, one of the most sensitive detectors ever constructed was buried there to catch that fleeting glow and record the neutrinos’ ghostly presence.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of catch

Noun

The raid underscores gangs’ push to seize strategic mountain corridors around upscale Pétion-Ville, even as armed groups now control most of Port-au-Prince and nationwide killings, rapes and kidnappings surge.

— Pierre-Richard Luxama, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
In cases of rape and murder, the punishment is life imprisonment.

— Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of rape

Verb

The Texas high school football season is underway, and several Fort Worth-area teams seized statement wins.

— Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
But while the Jets’ defense piled up takeaways, the rookie quarterback failed to seize the spotlight during the 23-6 loss to the Giants.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Noun

Chilean authorities have charged Rafael Enrique Gámez Salas, the alleged leader of Los Piratas, the main branch of Tren de Aragua in Chile, with kidnapping, extortion and criminal association, among other offenses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Former Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts Mike Caruso, who is facing allegations of kidnapping and molesting a child, will be freed from jail and can have contact with children, an Orlando judge ruled Friday.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of kidnapping

Noun

But, at some level, these campaigns also seem a response to the right-wing evangelical hijacking of the Gospel message.

— Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Despite the taboo, Pan Am spent the 1980s running its own reassurance campaign amid a wave of hijacking and bombing threats against transatlantic flights, insisting on its own safety and security even as the threats mounted.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of hijacking

Browse Nearby Words

snarly

snatch

snatched

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“Snatch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatch. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of snatch

verb

noun

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