Snarl
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -É‘Ë(r)l
Origin
From Middle English snarlen, frequentative of snare.
Full definition of snarl
Noun
snarl
(plural snarls)- A knot or complication of hair, thread, or the like, difficult to disentangle; entanglement; hence, intricate complication; embarrassing difficulty.
- The act of snarling; a growl; a surly or peevish expression; an angry contention.
- A growl, as of an angry or surly dog, or similar; grumbling sounds
Synonyms
- (entangled situation) imbroglio
Verb
- To form raised work upon the outer surface of (thin metal ware) by the repercussion of a snarling iron upon the inner surface.
- To entangle; to complicate; to involve in knots.to snarl a skein of thread
- SpenserAnd from her back her garments she did tear,
And from her head oft rent her snarled hair... - To embarrass; to ensnare.
- Latimerthe question that they would have snarled him with
- To growl, as an angry or surly dog; to gnarl; to utter grumbling sounds.
- To speak crossly; to talk in rude, surly terms.
- DrydenIt is malicious and unmanly to snarl at the little lapses of a pen, from which Virgil himself stands not exempted.