snatch

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes

US /snætʃ/ UK /snætʃ/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

verb
to seize quickly and forcibly; to grab

A thief tried to snatch her bag in the crowd.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to seize quickly and... grab seize grasp clutch snag pluck wrench nab

Opposites

release relinquishlet go

Word family

Derived forms snatchersnatchy

Simplified etymology

Snatch is a Middle English word that originally meant “to snap suddenly.” On that basis, it is probably related to snack.

Etymology

From Middle English snacchen ('to seize suddenly, snap at'), of uncertain origin, perhaps related to snack and Middle Dutch snacken ('to snatch, chatter').

snacchen Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# snatch

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /snætʃ/
**IPA (UK):** /snætʃ/

## Meanings
1. to seize quickly and forcibly; to grab

## Examples
- A thief tried to snatch her bag in the crowd.

## Synonyms
- grab
- seize
- grasp
- clutch
- snag
- pluck
- wrench
- nab

## Antonyms
- release
- relinquish
- let go

## Derived Forms
- snatcher
- snatchy

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: snacchen

## Etymology
From Middle English snacchen ('to seize suddenly, snap at'), of uncertain origin, perhaps related to snack and Middle Dutch snacken ('to snatch, chatter').

## AI Etymology
Snatch comes from Middle English snacchen ('to seize suddenly, snap at'), of uncertain origin, perhaps related to snack and Middle Dutch snacken ('to snatch, chatter'). The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As a verb and noun, it means "to seize quickly and forcibly; to grab", so the modern sense keeps the older action or relation visible. Relevant historical forms include Middle English snacchen. Derivative forms include snatcher, snatchy.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

markdown