26984 words

snarl

7 definitions • 11 examples
1
(especially of dogs) to make a deep, rough sound while showing the teeth, usually in anger or (of people) to speak or say something angrily and forcefully:

Examples:

The dogs started to snarl at each other so I had to separate them.
[ + speech ] "Go to hell!", he snarled.
2
to become twisted together and difficult to separate; to make something become twisted together :

Examples:

The yarn snarled as she unwound it.
That old brush will snarl your hair.
3
a deep, rough sound, usually made in anger:

Examples:

The dog gave a low snarl so I quickly drew my hand back.
"Take your hands off me!" she said with a snarl.
4
an untidy mass of things that are twisted together:

Examples:

She tried to comb the snarls out of her daughter's long hair.
a snarl of blankets on the bed
5
(esp. of dogs) to make a fierce sound while showing the teeth, or (of people) to speak or say something in an angry and fierce way:

Examples:

[ I ] “What do you want?” he snarled.
6
to make or become stuck, knotted, or blocked, and so unable to move easily:

Examples:

[ T ] The collision snarled traffic for 10 miles on the Interstate.
7
an angry or fierce sound or way of speaking:

Examples:

The dog's snarl frightened me.

Navigation