Phrase guide

snap at

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • snăp′ ăt′
  • -ət

1

verb

Meaning 1

To bite off with a quick bite.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Her dog snapped at me!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To lash out with a verbal attack.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • Don't snap at him like that!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To seize an opportunity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, transitive

Examples

  • They snapped at my final offer.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

bite off with a quick bite

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The dog snapped off a piece of cloth from the intruder's pants

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bite off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: bite, seize with teeth

History

Etymology

First attested in the late 1500s.