snare

USAGE SUMMARY

'snare' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb, noun, and adjective. Examples: Verb: The bird was snared in the hunter's trap. Noun: The snare caught in the rabbit's foot. Adjective: The snare drum beat was rhythmic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He scored against Germany in an 8-3 whichwhich proved a snare and a delusion.

The Guardian

A short, snappy URL can still snare the attention – but there aren't many left.

The Guardian - Film

As captain, he deployed his darts for just the one over, but that was enough to snare the dangerous Niall O'Brien and outfox Matthew Boyce, checking the away team's momentum just as they hoped to build it.

The Guardian - Sport

Can live political satire and discussion snare a Channel 4 audience deprived of Big Brother?

The Guardian

It will take a full, focused 90 minute performance against a hungry Chicago side bent on ruining the party to secure a festive atmosphere from a sold-out, wound tighter than a snare drum, Red Bull Arena.

The Guardian - Sport

The team endured a punishing trek, up and down whitewater rivers and through mountainous terrain ribboned with the snare lines of armed poachers.

The Guardian

She obviously had to pull out all the tricks to "snare" Clooney, and what was her trick?

The Guardian - Opinion

And if electoral rules do not snare a would-be demagogue then mocking laughter probably will.

The Economist

As Edsger Dijkstra, another pioneer of AI, once remarked, asking whether a computer can think is a bit like asking "whether submarines can swim .A snare and an illusionNothing makes this clearer than the ways in which AI programs can be spoofed.

The Economist

Roche wants to avoid problems such as the post-merger fracas between Glaxo's tough managers and Wellcome's dreamy scientists, or the one between Pharmacia AB's laid-back Swedish bosses and Upjohn's uptight Americans, with their insistence on rarely-read monthly reports and urine tests to snare boozy employees.Roche's arguments may be making a virtue out of a necessity.

The Economist

Neither rock'n'roll nor hip-hop, the album is cinematic and cerebral, funky and fussy, its sound carved by Mr Costello's clear-cut tenor and Questlove's percussive snare.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "snare" in a figurative sense, ensure the context clearly conveys the idea of being trapped or caught, either physically or metaphorically.

Common error

Avoid using "snare" when a more direct term like "catch" or "trap" would be clearer. Overusing "snare" in simple situations can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The word "snare" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a type of trap, or as a verb, meaning to catch something. Ludwig indicates that the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "snare" is a versatile term used as both a noun and a verb, primarily associated with the act of trapping or catching something. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and its frequency is notably high, appearing often in news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. Related terms include "trap", "capture" and "entrap". While predominantly neutral in tone, "snare" can adopt a formal or scientific register depending on the specific context. When writing with "snare", ensure the context makes clear the idea of being trapped or caught.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trap

Emphasizes the act of catching someone or something, similar to "snare".

capture

Focuses on the act of taking control or possession, akin to "snare".

entrap

Highlights the deceptive aspect of catching someone in a "snare".

ensnare

Similar to "snare", suggesting a subtle or cunning method of capture.

catch

A more general term for seizing or obtaining something, like using a "snare".

hook

Implies catching or attracting someone, analogous to setting a "snare".

noose

Specifically refers to a loop used for catching, resembling a "snare".

ambush

Highlights the element of surprise in capturing, akin to setting a "snare".

trick

Focuses on deception used to capture, similar to setting a "snare".

capture someone's attention

Highlights the element of attracting someone's interest and is more conversational than to "snare".

FAQs

How can I use "snare" in a sentence?

You can use "snare" as a noun, such as "The rabbit was caught in a snare", or as a verb, like "The hunter tried to snare the deer".

What is a good synonym for "snare"?

Synonyms include "trap", "capture", and "entrap", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "snared by" something?

Yes, it's correct. For example, "He was snared by the promise of quick riches" indicates he was trapped or deceived by it.

What is the difference between "snare" and "trap"?

"Snare" often implies a more subtle or cunning method of capture, while "trap" is a more general term for any device used to catch something.