snatched

verb

past tense of snatch
as in grabbed
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

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 snatched The thieves then snatched the paintings and fled through the museum’s gardens—the whole heist took place in under three minutes. — News Desk, Artforum, 17 Aug. 2026 The second was produced by Jahdae Barron, who alertly snatched a ball out of the air that had been tipped by linebacker Karene Reid and then raced 97 yards for a touchdown. — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 With 24 laps remaining, the Team Penske driver snatched the lead from Christopher Bell, who had pitted 20 laps earlier and was trying to stretch his tires to the finish on Richmond’s abrasive surface. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026 The toddler son of national hero Charles Lindbergh was snatched from his bed in his parents’ home in the middle of the night. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 Questions about his age and passing ability may have led teams to skip King during the draft in April, but the Panthers snatched him up in free agency immediately afterward. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 The phone on the wall rang, and Rebecca snatched the receiver, then pulled the curly cord down the steps to the basement and shut the door. — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026 In Friday’s first red zone drill of training camp, Purdy wisely threw a ball that the 6-foot-5 Evans snatched high at the goal line, with an almost unnecessary leap against 5-foot-9 cornerback Upton Stout. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026 Naturally, these are almost immediately snatched up by couples. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snatched
  1. grabbed
  2. caught
  3. seized
Verb
  • Reyes allegedly grabbed her by the hair and started to punch her multiple times.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Soon after, the Macklowe Gallery owners sold that place and grabbed a rental across from Lincoln Center, spending their time traveling, working, and enjoying a wonderfully free, untethered life.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of grabbed
Verb
  • Tristan Gunn caught the touchdown pass, and back-up quarterback Cade DePriest also had a touchdown pass to Smith Lessard.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The first pick of the second round caught seven passes for 63 yards on his three drives, including two impressive catches on the TD drive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of caught
Verb
  • Messi had a shot saved at the beginning of the second half, but Palacios then sparked a move from one side of the pitch to the other as Nashville restored its lead in the 49th minute and seized control of the game.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities have seized Walter’s cellphone and laptop, according to Bloomberg.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of seized

Browse Nearby Words

snatch
snatched
snatches
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Cite this Entry

“Snatched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snatched. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on snatched

Nglish: Translation of snatched for Spanish Speakers

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