snarl

To snarl is to say something mean in a bad tempered way, or when an animal bares its teeth and growls.

(verb)

  1. When a dog bares his teeth and growls, this is an example of snarl.
  2. When you make a mean face and a sarcastic remark, this is an example of snarl.

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See snarl in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

  1. to growl fiercely, baring the teeth, as a threatening dog
  2. to speak harshly and sharply, as in anger, impatience, etc.

Origin: extended from earlier snar, to growl, akin to Swed snarra, MHG, MDu, MLowG snarren, to growl < IE echoic base *(s)ner-, *(s)nur- > sneer, snore, OIce norn, Norn

transitive verb

to utter or give vent to with a snarl: to snarl one's contempt

noun

  1. a fierce, harsh growl
  2. a harsh utterance expressing anger, impatience, etc.

Related Forms:

transitive verb

  1. to make (thread, hair, etc.) knotted or tangled
  2. to make disordered or confused; complicate: to snarl traffic
  3. to ornament (metalwork) with a raised design, as by hammering

Origin: ME snarlen < snare (see snare) + -len, -le

intransitive verb

to become knotted or tangled

noun

  1. a knotted or tangled mass or tuft; tangle: hair full of snarls
  2. a confused, disordered state or situation; complication; confusion

Origin: ME snarle

See snarl in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb snarled, snarl·ing, snarls
verb, intransitive
  1. To growl viciously while baring the teeth.
  2. To speak angrily or threateningly.
verb, transitive
To utter with anger or hostility: snarled a retort.
noun
  1. A vicious growl.
  2. A vicious, hostile utterance.

Origin:

Origin: Frequentative of obsolete snar

Origin: , perhaps from Dutch

Origin: or Low German snarren, to rattle

Origin: , probably of imitative origin

.

Related Forms:

  • snarlˈer noun
  • snarlˈing·ly adverb
  • snarlˈy adjective

noun
  1. A tangled mass, as of hair or yarn.
  2. A confused, complicated, or tangled situation; a predicament.
verb snarled, snarl·ing, snarls
verb, intransitive
To become tangled or confused.
verb, transitive
  1. To tangle or knot (hair, for example).
  2. To confuse; complicate.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English snarle, trap

Origin: , probably diminutive of snare; see snare1

.

Related Forms:

  • snarlˈer noun
  • snarlˈy adjective

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