as in rapes
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
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as in grabs
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
the brazen seagull snatched the french fry right from my hand
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of snatches
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2025
The major achievement of Ozon’s film is to adapt literature without literalizing (there are just two snatches of narration that are directly lifted from source), and to honor the novel’s mystery without trying to solve it.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Maisie is a throw-away child in 1910, captivated by a poster of a magical French carousel, when an aunt snatches her out of poverty and takes her into the home of her wealthy employer, a British lord.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
The ribbed-trim detailing already sets it apart, while the subtle shaping at the waist snatches every figure.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Annahstasia, Tether Annahstasia Enuke’s voice — by turns a breathily bassy and sweetly soaring instrument — snatches you sideways across time.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
His grandfather, Leroy Hanlon, frustrated by this hesitancy, snatches the instrument out of Mike’s hand and carries out the deed himself.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Wednesday then rescues Pugsley as Gomez and Morticia arrive, but before the family can properly reunite, Isaac snatches Wednesday into his telekinetic grip, choking her.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
And just when the woman and the cookie are about to share a kiss, a hand reaches in from above and snatches the cookie from the scene.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere, with a 9-5 climb, the song also snatches a new peak on the overall Latin Airplay chart, marking Especial’s highest-charting song there.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
And so, the film’s spartan spell is undone by snatches of pedestrian drama and goofy, surreal symbolism.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2025
The major achievement of Ozon’s film is to adapt literature without literalizing (there are just two snatches of narration that are directly lifted from source), and to honor the novel’s mystery without trying to solve it.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
There’s much for delight, but the drama lost steam in a confusing episode near the end, when a Snake (portrayed by Abrahamse) snatches the Prince away.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Maisie is a throw-away child in 1910, captivated by a poster of a magical French carousel, when an aunt snatches her out of poverty and takes her into the home of her wealthy employer, a British lord.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
The ribbed-trim detailing already sets it apart, while the subtle shaping at the waist snatches every figure.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Annahstasia, Tether Annahstasia Enuke’s voice — by turns a breathily bassy and sweetly soaring instrument — snatches you sideways across time.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
His grandfather, Leroy Hanlon, frustrated by this hesitancy, snatches the instrument out of Mike’s hand and carries out the deed himself.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Wednesday then rescues Pugsley as Gomez and Morticia arrive, but before the family can properly reunite, Isaac snatches Wednesday into his telekinetic grip, choking her.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
And just when the woman and the cookie are about to share a kiss, a hand reaches in from above and snatches the cookie from the scene.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere, with a 9-5 climb, the song also snatches a new peak on the overall Latin Airplay chart, marking Especial’s highest-charting song there.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snatches
Noun
-
Columbus, Ohio, saw dramatic drops in every category, including rapes, down to 678 last year from 1,116 in 2024.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The four rapes allegedly took place in 2018, 2023 and 2024, the last one after the police investigation began.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The man grabs her and also takes her cell phone.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the last year, there were more than 49,000 cases of abductions and kidnappings in the United States, according to FBI data.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Kidnappings and abductions of this sort—high profile, with a possible ransom—are relatively rare in the United States; missing persons reports more often involve runaways or parental abductions in custody cases.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Although the paint job catches the eye, the new stands, which cost about $87,000 each, have several features that will be helpful to lifeguards and beachgoers.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Your keen insight catches what others miss — even a small domestic shift can turn nagging stress into quiet stability that feeds body and mind!—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the '30s, when the Lindbergh baby was abducted, kidnappings and ransoms were so common that high-profile people often secured kidnapping insurance.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) seizes an opportunity to regain her position.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
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Iran seizes 2 ships on smuggling claims DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hyland captures the parallels between the two couples.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Helion’s technology captures the electricity during the fusion process—skipping the need for turbines.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snatches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatches. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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